Delta-9 elongases and their use in making polyunsaturated fatty acids

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to Δ9 elongases, which have the ability to convert linoleic acid [18:2, LA] to eicosadienoic acid [20:2, EDA]. Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding Δ9 elongase along with methods of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these Δ9 elongases in plants and oleaginous yeast are disclosed.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/739,989, filed Nov. 23, 2005, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of biotechnology. More specifically, this invention pertains to the identification of nucleic acid fragments encoding Δ9 fatty acid elongase enzymes and the use of these elongases in making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The importance of PUFAs is undisputed. For example, certain PUFAs are important biological components of healthy cells and are recognized as: “essential” fatty acids that cannot be synthesized de novo in mammals and instead must be obtained either in the diet or derived by further desaturation and elongation of linoleic acid (LA; 18:2ω-6) or α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3ω-3); constituents of plasma membranes of cells, where they may be found in such forms as phospholipids or triacylglycerols; necessary for proper development (particularly in the developing infant brain) and for tissue formation and repair; and, precursors to several biologically active eicosanoids of importance in mammals (e.g., prostacyclins, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, prostaglandins). Additionally, a high intake of long-chain ω-3 PUFAs has cardiovascular protective effects (Dyerberg, J. et al., Amer. J. Clin. Nutr., 28:958-966 (1975); Dyerberg, J. et al., Lancet, 2(8081):117-119 (Jul. 15, 1978); Shimokawa, H., World Rev. Nutr. Diet, 88:100-108 (2001); von Schacky, C. and Dyerberg, J., World Rev. Nutr. Diet, 88:90-99 (2001)). Numerous other studies document wide-ranging health benefits conferred by administration of ω-3 and/or ω-6 PUFAs against a variety of symptoms and diseases (e.g., asthma, psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, cancer).

Today, a variety of different hosts including plants, algae, fungi and yeast are being investigated as means for commercial PUFA production. Although the natural PUFA-producing abilities of the host organisms are sometimes specific to a given methodology, genetic engineering has also proven that the natural abilities of some hosts (even those natively limited to LA and ALA fatty acid production) can be substantially enhanced to produce high-levels of various long-chain ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs. Whether this effect is the result of natural abilities or recombinant technology, production of arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4 ω-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 ω-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 ω-3) all require expression of either the Δ9 elongase/E8 desaturase pathway (which operates in some organisms, such as euglenoid species and which is characterized by the production of eicosadienoic acid [EDA; 20:2ω-6] and/or eicosatrienoic acid [ETrA; 20:3ω-3]) or the Δ6 desaturase/Δ6 elongase pathway (which is predominantly found in algae, mosses, fungi, nematodes and humans and which is characterized by the production of gamma-linoleic acid [GLA; 18:3ω-6] and/or stearidonic acid [STA; 18:4 ω-3]) (FIG. 1).

For the purposes herein, the present application focuses on use of the Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase pathway, and more specifically, on the use of Δ9 elongase enzymes. Most Δ9 elongase enzymes identified so far have the ability to convert both LA to EDA and ALA to ETrA (wherein DGLA and ETA are subsequently synthesized from EDA and ETrA, respectively, following reaction with a ω8 desaturase; ARA and EPA are subsequently synthesized from DGLA and ETA, respectively, following reaction with a ω5 desaturase; and, DHA synthesis requires subsequent expression of an additional C_(20/22) elongase and a ω4 desaturase).

In spite of the need for new methods for the production of ARA, EPA and DHA, few Δ9 elongase enzymes have been identified. For example, only a single Δ9 elongase is presently known prior to the Applicants' invention herein. Specifically, PCT Publications No. WO 2002/077213, No. WO 2005/083093, No. WO 2005/012316 and No. WO 2004/057001 describe a Δ9 elongase from Isochrysis galbana and its use (see also GenBank Accession No. AAL37626). Thus, there is need for the identification and isolation of additional genes encoding Δ9 elongases that will be suitable for heterologous expression in a variety of host organisms for use in the production of ω-3/ω-6 fatty acids.

Elongases which have been identified in the past differ in terms of the substrates upon which they act. They are present in both animals and plants. Those found in mammals can act upon saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, those found in plants are specific for saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Thus, there is a need for a PUFA-specific elongase to produce PUFAs in plants.

The elongation process in plants involves a four-step process initiated by the crucial step of condensation of malonate and a fatty acid with release of a carbon dioxide molecule. The substrates in fatty acid elongation are CoA-thioesters. The condensation step is mediated by a 3-ketoacyl synthase, which is generally rate-limiting to the overall cycle of four reactions and provides some substrate specificity. The product of one elongation cycle regenerates a fatty acid that has been extended by two carbon atoms (Browse et al., Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 27(9):467-473 (September 2002); Napier, Trends in Plant Sciences, 7(2):51-54 (February 2002)).

Based on the utility of expressing Δ9 elongases in conjunction with ω8 desaturases, there has also been considerable effort to identify and characterize ω8 desaturases from various sources. Most efforts thus far have focused on the isolation and characterization of ω8 desaturases from Euglena gracilis; and, several sequence variations of E. gracilis ω8 desaturases have been reported (see, e.g., Wallis et al., Arch. Biochem. and Biophys., 365(2):307-316 (May 1999); PCT Publication No. WO 2000/34439; U.S. Pat. No. 6,825,017; PCT Publication No. WO 2004/057001; U.S. application Ser. No. 11/166,003 filed Jun. 24, 2005 (PCT Publications No. WO 2006/012325 and No. WO 2006/012326; published Feb. 2, 2006)). More recently, PCT Publication No. WO 2005/103253 (published Apr. 22, 2005) discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a ω8 desaturase enzyme from Pavlova salina. Sayanova et al. (FEBS Lett., 580:1946-1952 (2006)) describes the isolation and characterization of a cDNA from the free living soil amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii that, when expressed in Arabidopsis, encodes a C₂₀ ω8 desaturase. Also, commonly owned, co-pending application having Provisional Application No. 60/795,810 (filed Apr. 28, 2006) discloses amino acid and nucleic acid sequences for a ω8 desaturase enzyme from Pavlova lutheri (CCMP459), while commonly owned, co-pending application having U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/853,563 filed Oct. 23, 2006, discloses ω8 desaturases from the euglenoids Tetruetreptia pomquetensis CCMP1491, Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 and Eutreptiella cf_(—) gymnastica CCMP1594.

The following commonly owned patent applications relate to the production of PUFAs in oleaginous yeasts (i.e., Yarrowia lipolytica), including: PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757 and PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101753 (both published Nov. 25, 2004); U.S. application Ser. No. 11/265,761 (filed Nov. 2, 2005; corresponding to PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870); U.S. application Ser. No. 11/264,784 (filed Nov. 1, 2005; corresponding to PCT Publication No. WO 2006/055322); and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/264,737 (filed Nov. 1, 2005; corresponding to PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052871).

Additionally, PCT Publication No. WO 2004/071467 (published Aug. 26, 2004) concerns the production of PUFAs in plants, while PCT Publication No. WO 2004/071178 (published Aug. 26, 2004) concerns annexin promoters and their use in expression of transgenes in plants; both are commonly owned and copending applications.

Applicants have solved the stated problem by isolating the genes encoding Δ9 elongase from Euglena gracilis and Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to new genetic constructs encoding polypeptides having Δ9 elongase activity, and their use in plants, algae, bacteria, yeast and fungi for the production of PUFAs.

Accordingly the invention provides an isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:

(a) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least 70% amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5;

(b) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence has at least 70% sequence identity, based on the BLASTN method of alignment, when compared to a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6;

(c) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6 under the following stringent hybridization conditions: 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; or

(d) a complement of the nucleotide sequence of (a), (b) or (c), wherein the complement and the nucleotide sequence consist of the same number of nucleotides and are 100% complementary.

Additionally invention provides polypeptides encoded by the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the invention. Specifically the invention provides a Δ9 elongase polypeptide wherein the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5; and

(b) an amino acid sequence that differs from the amino acid sequences in (a) by at least one conservative amino acid substitution.

In another embodiment the invention provides host cells transformed with the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the invention, where preferred host cells are microbial species as for example algae, bacterial, yeast, oomycetes and fungi.

In another embodiment the invention provides a method for the production of eicosadienoic acid comprising:

-   -   a) providing an isolated transformed yeast host cell comprising:         -   i) an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a             polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, selected from the             group consisting of:             -   (1) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a                 nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9                 elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least                 70% amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method                 of alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as                 set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5;             -   (2) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a                 nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9                 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence                 hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in                 SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6                 under the following stringent hybridization conditions:                 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1%                 SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; and         -   (ii) a source of linoleic acid;     -   b) growing the yeast host cell of step (a) under conditions         wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Δ9 elongase         polypeptide is expressed and the linoleic acid is converted to         eicosadienoic acid; and,     -   c) optionally recovering the eicosadienoic acid of step (b).

In an alternate embodiment the invention provides a method for the production of eicosatrienoic acid comprising:

-   -   a) providing an isolated transformed yeast host cell comprising:         -   i) an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a             polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, selected from the             group consisting of:             -   (1) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a                 nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9                 elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least                 70% amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method                 of alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as                 set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5;             -   (2) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a                 nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9                 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence                 hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in                 SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6                 under the following stringent hybridization conditions:                 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1%                 SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; and         -   (ii) a source of α-linolenic acid;     -   b) growing the host cell of step (a) under conditions wherein         the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Δ9 elongase polypeptide         is expressed and the α-linolenic acid is converted to         eicosatrienoic acid; and,     -   c) optionally recovering the eicosatrienoic acid of step (b).

In another embodiment the invention provides microbial oils produced by the transformed hosts of the invention.

In a separate embodiment the invention provides a food product comprising the microbial oils of the invention.

In another embodiment the invention provides an animal feed comprising the oils of the invention.

Biological Deposits

The following plasmids have been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, and bear the following designations, Accession Numbers and dates of deposit (Table 1).

TABLE 1 ATCC Deposits Plasmid Accession Number Date of Deposit pKR72 PTA-6019 May 28, 2004 pKR275 PTA-4989 Jan. 30, 2003 pKR585 PTA-6279 Nov. 4, 2004 pKR578 PTA-6280 Nov. 4, 2004

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND SEQUENCE LISTINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the ω-3/ω-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway providing for the conversion of myristic acid through various intermediates to DHA.

FIG. 2 shows a Clustal V alignment (with default parameters) of the amino acid sequence of the Euglena gracilis Δ9 elongase of the instant invention (SEQ ID NO:2), the amino acid sequence of the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 elongase of the instant invention (SEQ ID NO:5) and the amino acid sequence of the long-chain PUFA elongation enzyme from Isochrysis galbana (NCBI Accession No. AAL37626 (GI 17226123)) (SEQ ID NO:8).

FIG. 3 shows a chromatogram of the lipid profile of an Euglena gracilis cell extract (Example 1).

FIG. 4 shows a Clustal V alignment (with default parameters) of the amino acid sequence of the Euglena gracilis Δ9 elongase of the instant invention (SEQ ID NO:2) and the amino acid sequence of the long-chain PUFA elongation enzyme from Isochrysis galbana (NCBI Accession No. AAL37626 (GI 17226123)) (SEQ ID NO:8).

FIG. 5 is a map of plasmid pY119.

FIG. 6 are the results of functional analysis of the Euglena gracilis Δ9 elongase (EgD9e) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

FIG. 7A is a map of plasmid pY5-30; FIG. 7B is a map of plasmid pDMW263; and FIG. 7C is a plasmid map of pZUF17.

FIG. 8 is a map of plasmid pY115.

FIG. 9A is a map of Yarrowia lipolytica Gateway® destination vector pBY1; FIG. 9B is a map of plasmid pBY2; and FIG. 9C is a map of plasmid pBY1-FAE.

FIG. 10 shows a comparison of the DNA sequences of the Euglena gracilis Δ9 elongase gene (EgD9e; SEQ ID NO:1) and the synthetic gene (EgD9eS; SEQ ID NO:3) codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica.

FIG. 11A is a map of plasmid pY120, while FIG. 11B is a map of plasmid pKR912.

FIG. 12A is a map of plasmid pKR911, while FIG. 12B is a map of plasmid pKR913.

FIG. 13A is a map of plasmid pKR886, while FIG. 13B is a map of plasmid pKR886r.

FIG. 14A is a map of plasmid pKR669, while FIG. 14B is a map of plasmid pKR873.

FIG. 15A is a plasmid map of pFBAlN-389Elo, while FIG. 15B is a plasmid map of pZUFE389S.

FIG. 16 shows a comparison of the DNA sequences of the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 elongase gene (E389D9e; SEQ ID NO:4) and the synthetic gene (E389D9eS; SEQ ID NO:6) codon-optimized for expression in Y. lipolytica.

The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings and Sequence Listing, which form a part of this application.

The following sequences comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.821-1.825 (“Requirements for patent applications Containing Nucleotide Sequences and/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures—the Sequence Rules”) and are consistent with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standard ST.25 (1998) and the sequence listing requirements of the EPO and PCT (Rules 5.2 and 49.5(a-bis), and Section 208 and Annex C of the Administrative Instructions). The symbols and format used for nucleotide and amino acid sequence data comply with the rules set forth in 37 C.F.R. §1.822.

A Sequence Listing is provided herewith on Compact Disk. The contents of the Compact Disk containing the Sequence Listing are hereby incorporated by reference in compliance with 37 CFR 1.52(e). The Compact Disks are submitted in triplicate and are identical to one another. The disks are labeled “Copy 1—Sequence Listing”, “Copy 2—Sequence Listing”, and CRF. The disks contain the following file: CL3600_(—)10.26.2006.5T25 having the following size: 483,000 bytes and which was created Nov. 15, 2006.

SEQ ID NOs:1-17, 21, 22, 45-48, 51-61, 68-71, 76-79, 81-93, 96-102 and 118-129 are ORFs encoding genes or proteins (or portions thereof), or plasmids, as identified in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Summary Of Nucleic Acid And Protein SEQ ID Numbers Nucleic acid Protein Description and Abbreviation SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. Euglena gracilis Δ9 elongase (EgD9e;  1 2 clone eeg1c.pk001.n5.f))  (777 bp) (258 AA) Synthetic Δ9 elongase, derived from  3 2 Euglena gracilis, codon-optimized for  (777 bp) (258 AA) expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (EgD9eS) Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 elongase  4 5 (E389D9e)  (792 bp) (263 AA) Synthetic Δ9 elongase, derived from  6 5 Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389, codon-  (792 bp) (263 AA) optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (E389D9eS) Isochrysis galbana Δ9 elongase  7 8 (IgD9e; NCBI Accession No. AAL37626 (1064 bp) (263 AA) [GI 17226123], locus AAL37626, CDS AF390174; GenBank Accession No. AF390174) (CDS = nucleotides 2-793) Synthetic Δ9 elongase, derived from  9 8 Isochrysis galbana, codon-optimized for  (792 bp) (263 AA) expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (IgD9eS) (equivalent to coding sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 51 and 50 in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870) Euglena gracilis EgD9e-- 5′ sequence 10 — of the cDNA insert from clone  (757 bp) eeg1c.pk001.n5.f. Euglena gracilis EgD9e-- 3′ sequence 11 — of the cDNA insert from clone  (774 bp) eeg1c.pk001.n5.f. Euglena gracilis EgD9e--sequence aligned 12 — from SEQ ID NO: 10 and SEQ ID NO: 11 (1201 bp) (full cDNA sequence excluding polyA tail) Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 E389D9e- 13 — internal cDNA fragment  (200 bp) Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 E389D9e -5′ 14 — cDNA fragment #1  (406 bp) Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 E389D9e -5′ 15 — cDNA fragment #2  (197 bp) Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 E389D9e -3′ 16 — cDNA fragment  (920 bp) Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 E389D9e- 17 — complete assembled contig (1504 bp) Plasmid pY119 21 — (8306 bp) Plasmid pDMW263 22 — (9472 bp) Plasmid pY115 45 — (7783 bp) Plasmid pDMW237 46 — (7879 bp) Plasmid pBY1 47 — (8704 bp) Plasmid pBY2 48 — (8145 bp) Plasmid pBY1-FAE 51 — (7877 bp) Plasmid pZuFmEgD9E 52 — (7771 bp) Plasmid pZuFmEgD9ES 53 — (7769 bp) Plasmid pY120 54 — (7769 bp) Plasmid pKR72 55 — (7085 bp) Plasmid pKR912 56 — (7873 bp) Plasmid pKS102 57 — (2540 bp) Plasmid pKR197 58 — (4359 bp) Plasmid pKR911 59 — (5147 bp) Euglena gracilis Δ8 desaturase (EgD8) 60 61 (equivalent to coding sequence of SEQ (1266 bp) (421 AA) ID NOs: 1 and 2 in PCT Publications No. WO 2006/012325 and No. WO 2006/ 012326 [US2005-0287652-A1]) Synthetic Δ8 desaturase, derived from 68 69 Euglena gracilis, codon-optimized for (1272 bp) (422 AA) expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (EgD8S) (equivalent to SEQ ID NOs: 112 and 113 in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/012326) Plasmid pKS121 70 — (4826 bp) Plasmid pKR457 71 — (5252 bp) Plasmid pKR680 76 — (6559 bp) Plasmid pKR913 77 — (9014 bp) Mortierella alpina Δ5 desaturase 78 79 (1482 bp) (446 AA) Plasmid pKR767 81 — (5561 bp) Plasmid pKR328 82 — (8671 bp) Plasmid pKR886 83 — (9892 bp) Plasmid pKR886r 84 — (9892 bp) Plasmid pKR271 85 — (6021 bp) Plasmid pKR226 86 — (6524 bp) Plasmid pKR275 87 — (13,514 bp)   Plasmid pKR329 88 — (12,323 bp)   Plasmid pKR585 89 — (12,456 bp)   Plasmid pKR578 90 — (9088 bp) Plasmid pKR667 91 — (10,309 bp)   Plasmid pKR873 92 — (12,403 bp)   Plasmid pKR132 93 — (3983 bp) Plasmid pKR160 96 — (4268 bp) Plasmid pKR124 97 — (4990 bp) Plasmid pKR163 98 — (3982 bp) Plasmid pY34 99 — (8878 bp) Plasmid pKR863 100  — (5207 bp) Plasmid pKR869 101  — (9035 bp) Plasmid pKR270 102  — (5108 bp) Plasmid pFBAIN-MOD-1 118  — (7222 bp) Plasmid pFBAIN-389Elo 119  — (7779 bp) Plasmid pE389S 120  — (3511 bp) Plasmid pZUF17 121  — (8165 bp) Plasmid pZUFE389S 122  — (7879 bp) Δ9 Elongase Motif #1 — 123 Δ9 Elongase Motif #2 — 124 Δ9 Elongase Motif #3 — 125 Δ9 Elongase Motif #4 — 126 Δ9 Elongase Motif #5 — 127 Δ9 Elongase Motif #6 — 128 Δ9 Elongase Motif #7 — 129

SEQ ID NO:18 is the M13F universal primer used for sequencing the Euglena gracilis cDNA library eeg1c.

SEQ ID NOs:19 and 20 correspond to primers oEugEL1-1 and oEugEL1-2, respectively, used for amplifying EgD9e from clone eeg1c.pk001.n5.f.

SEQ ID NOs:23-38 correspond to primers IL3-1A, IL3-1B, IL3-2A, IL3-2B, IL3-3A, IL3-3B, IL3-4A, IL3-4B, IL3-5A, IL3-5B, IL3-6A, IL3-6B, IL3-7A, IL3-7B, IL3-8A and IL3-8B, respectively, used for amplification of IgD9eS.

SEQ ID NOs:39-42 correspond to primers IL3-1F, IL3-4R, IL3-5F and IL3-8R, respectively, used for amplification of IgD9eS.

SEQ ID NO:43 is the 417 by NcoI/PstI fragment from pT9(1-4).

SEQ ID NO:44 is the 377 by PstI/Not1 fragment from pT9(5-8).

SEQ ID NOs:49 and 50 correspond to primers ig-s and ig-as, respectively, used for amplifying IgD9eS from vector pY115.

SEQ ID NOs:62 and 63 correspond to primers Eg5-1 and Eg3-3, respectively, used for amplifying EgD8 from cDNA.

SEQ ID NOs:64-67 correspond to primers T7, M13-28Rev, Eg3-2 and Eg5-2, respectively, used for sequencing EgD8.

SEQ ID NO:72 is the sequence of the KTi cassette 5′ end multiple cloning site (MCS) for pKR457.

SEQ ID NO:73 is the sequence of the KTi cassette 3′ end multiple cloning site (MCS) for pKR457 including the soy albumin transcription 3′ terminator.

SEQ ID NOs:74 and 75 correspond to primers oSalb-12 and oSalb-13, respectively, used for amplifying the soy albumin transcription terminator from soy genomic DNA.

SEQ ID NO:80 corresponds to restriction sites added to pKR287 to produce pKR767.

SEQ ID NOs:94 and 95 correspond to primers oSAlb-9 and oSAIb-2, respectively, used for creation of restriction sites during production of pKR160.

SEQ ID NOs:103-105 correspond to SMART™ IV oligonucleotide primer, CDSIII/3′ PCR primer and 5′-PCR primer, respectively, used for Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 cDNA synthesis.

SEQ ID NO:106 is the nucleotide sequence of degenerate primer EuEF3, which encodes the peptide set forth in SEQ ID NO:107. Similarly, SEQ ID NO:108 is the nucleotide sequence of degenerate primer EuER3, which encodes the peptide set forth in SEQ ID NO:109.

SEQ ID NOs:110-113 correspond to primers 389Elo-5-1, 389Elo-5-2, DNR CDS 5′-2 and 389Elo-5-4, respectively, used for PCR amplification of the 5′-end of cDNA encoding E389D9e.

SEQ ID NOs:114 and 115 correspond to primers 389Elo-3-1 and 389Elo-3-2, respectively, used for PCR amplification of the 3′-end of cDNA encoding E389D9e.

SEQ ID NOs:116 and 117 correspond to primers 389ELO-F and 389ELO-R1, respectively, used for amplification of the full length cDNA encoding E389D9e.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. This specifically includes the following commonly owned and copending applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,478, Ser. No. 10/840,579 and Ser. No. 10/840,325 (filed May 6, 2004), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/869,630 (filed Jun. 16, 2004), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/882,760 (filed Jul. 1, 2004), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/985,109 and Ser. No. 10/985,691 (filed Nov. 10, 2004), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/987,548 (filed Nov. 12, 2004), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/024,545 and Ser. No. 11/024,544 (filed Dec. 29, 2004), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,993 (filed Jun. 24, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/183,664 (filed Jul. 18, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/185,301 (filed Jul. 20, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/190,750 (filed Jul. 27, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/198,975 (filed Aug. 8, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/225,354 (filed Sep. 13, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/251,466 (filed Oct. 14, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/254,173 and Ser. No. 11/253,882 (filed Oct. 19, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/264,784 and Ser. No. 11/264,737 (filed Nov. 1, 2005), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/265,761 (filed Nov. 2, 2005), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/739,989 (filed Nov. 23, 2005), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/795,810 (filed Apr. 28, 2006), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/793,575 (filed Apr. 20, 2006), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/796,637 (filed May 2, 2006), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/801,172 (filed May 17, 2006), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/801,119 (filed May 17, 2006), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/853,563 (filed Oct. 23, 2006), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/855,177 (filed Oct. 30, 2006). This additionally includes the following commonly owned and copending applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/776,311, concerning the production of PUFAs in plants; and, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/776,889, concerning annexin promoters and their use in expression of transgenes in plants.

The invention provides novel Euglena gracilis and Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 elongase enzymes and genes encoding the same that may be used for the manipulation of biochemical pathways for the production of healthful PUFAs.

PUFAs, or derivatives thereof, made by the methodology disclosed herein can be used as dietary substitutes, or supplements and infant formulas, and for patients undergoing intravenous feeding or for preventing or treating malnutrition. Alternatively, the purified PUFAs (or derivatives thereof) may be incorporated into cooking oils, fats or margarines formulated so that in normal use the recipient would receive the desired amount for dietary supplementation. The PUFAs may also be incorporated into infant formulas, nutritional supplements or other food products and may find use as anti-inflammatory or cholesterol lowering agents. Optionally, the compositions may be used for pharmaceutical use (human or veterinary).

DEFINITIONS

In the context of this disclosure, a number of terms and abbreviations are used. The following definitions are provided.

“Open reading frame” is abbreviated ORF.

“Polymerase chain reaction” is abbreviated PCR.

“American Type Culture Collection” is abbreviated ATCC.

“Polyunsaturated fatty acid(s)” is abbreviated PUFA(s).

“Triacylglycerols” are abbreviated TAGs.

The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is not meant to be limiting to any one specific embodiment of the invention but applies generally to any and all embodiments of the invention as described in the claims and specification.

The term “fatty acids” refers to long-chain aliphatic acids (alkanoic acids) of varying chain lengths, from about C₁₂ to C₂₂ (although both longer and shorter chain-length acids are known). The predominant chain lengths are between C₁₆ and C₂₂. Additional details concerning the differentiation between “saturated fatty acids” versus “unsaturated fatty acids”, “monounsaturated fatty acids” versus “polyunsaturated fatty acids” (or “PUFAs”), and “omega-6 fatty acids” (ω-6 or n-6) versus “omega-3 fatty acids” (ω-3 or n-3) are provided in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757.

Fatty acids are described herein by a simple notation system of “X:Y”, wherein X is the number of carbon (C) atoms in the particular fatty acid and Y is the number of double bonds. The number following the fatty acid designation indicates the position of the double bond from the carboxyl end of the fatty acid with the “c” affix for the cis-configuration of the double bond [e.g., palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1, 9c), petroselinic acid (18:1, 6c), LA (18:2, 9c, 12c), GLA (18:3, 6c, 9c, 12c) and ALA (18:3, 9c, 12c, 15c)]. Unless otherwise specified 18:1, 18:2 and 18:3 refer to oleic, LA and ALA fatty acids. If not specifically written as otherwise, double bonds are assumed to be of the cis configuration. For instance, the double bonds in 18:2 (9,12) would be assumed to be in the cis configuration.

Nomenclature used to describe PUFAs in the present disclosure is shown below in Table 3. In the column titled “Shorthand Notation”, the omega-reference system is used to indicate the number of carbons, the number of double bonds and the position of the double bond closest to the omega carbon, counting from the omega carbon (which is numbered 1 for this purpose). The remainder of the Table summarizes the common names of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids and their precursors, the abbreviations that will be used throughout the remainder of the specification, and each compounds' chemical name.

TABLE 3 Nomenclature of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids And Precursors Shorthand Common Name Abbreviation Chemical Name Notation Myristic — tetradecanoic 14:0 Palmitic Palmitate hexadecanoic 16:0 Palmitoleic — 9-hexadecenoic 16:1 Stearic — octadecanoic 18:1 Oleic — cis-9-octadecenoic 18:1 Linoleic LA cis-9,12-octadecadienoic 18:2 ω-6 Gamma- GLA cis-6,9,12- 18:3 ω-6 linolenic octadecatrienoic Eicosadienoic EDA cis-11,14-eicosadienoic 20:2 ω-6 Dihomo- DGLA cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic 20:3 ω-6 gamma- linolenic Sciadonic SCI cis-5,11,14-eicosatrienoic 20:3b ω-6 Arachidonic ARA cis-5,8,11,14- 20:4 ω-6 eicosatetraenoic Alpha-linolenic ALA cis-9,12,15- 18:3 ω-3 octadecatrienoic Stearidonic STA cis-6,9,12,15- 18:4 ω-3 octadecatetraenoic Eicosatrienoic ETrA cis-11,14,17- 20:3 ω-3 eicosatrienoic Eicosatetraenoic ETA cis-8,11,14,17- 20:4 ω-3 eicosatetraenoic Juniperonic JUP cis-5,11,14,17- 20:4b ω-3 eicosatrienoic Eicosapentaenoic EPA cis-5,8,11,14,17- 20:5 ω-3 eicosapentaenoic Docosapentaenoic DPA cis-7,10,13,16,19- 22:5 ω-3 docosapentaenoic Docosahexaenoic DHA cis-4,7,10,13,6,19- 22:6 ω-3 docosahexaenoic

The term “essential fatty acid” refers to a particular PUFA that an organism must ingest in order to survive, being unable to synthesize the particular essential fatty acid de novo. For example, mammals can not synthesize the essential fatty acid LA. Other essential fatty acids include, but are not limited to, GLA, DGLA, ARA, EPA and DHA.

The term “fat” refers to a lipid substance that is solid at 25° C. and usually saturated.

The term “oil” refers to a lipid substance that is liquid at 25° C. and usually polyunsaturated. PUFAs are found in the oils of some algae, oleaginous yeasts and filamentous fungi. “Microbial oils” or “single cell oils” are those oils naturally produced by microorganisms during their lifespan.

The terms “triacylglycerol”, “oil” and “TAGs” refer to neutral lipids composed of three fatty acyl residues esterified to a glycerol molecule (and such terms will be used interchangeably throughout the present disclosure herein). Such oils can contain long-chain PUFAs, as well as shorter saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and longer chain saturated fatty acids. Thus, “oil biosynthesis” generically refers to the synthesis of TAGs in the cell.

“Percent (%) PUFAs in the total lipid and oil fractions” refers to the percent of PUFAs relative to the total fatty acids in those fractions. The term “total lipid fraction” or “lipid fraction” both refer to the sum of all lipids (i.e., neutral and polar) within an oleaginous organism, thus including those lipids that are located in the phosphatidylcholine (PC) fraction, phosphatidyletanolamine (PE) fraction and triacylglycerol (TAG or oil) fraction. However, the terms “lipid” and “oil” will be used interchangeably throughout the specification.

The terms “conversion efficiency” and “percent substrate conversion” refer to the efficiency by which a particular enzyme (e.g., a desaturase) can convert substrate to product. The conversion efficiency is measured according to the following formula: ([product]/[substrate+product])*100, where ‘product’ includes the immediate product and all products in the pathway derived from it.

A metabolic pathway, or biosynthetic pathway, in a biochemical sense, can be regarded as a series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell, catalyzed by enzymes, to achieve either the formation of a metabolic product to be used or stored by the cell, or the initiation of another metabolic pathway (then called a flux generating step). Many of these pathways are elaborate, and involve a step by step modification of the initial substance to shape it into a product having the exact chemical structure desired.

The term “PUFA biosynthetic pathway” refers to a metabolic process that converts oleic acid to LA, EDA, GLA, DGLA, ARA, ALA, STA, ETrA, ETA, EPA, DPA and DHA. This process is well described in the literature (e.g., see PCT Publications No. WO 2005/003322 and No. WO 2006/052870). Simplistically, this process involves elongation of the carbon chain through the addition of carbon atoms and desaturation of the molecule through the addition of double bonds, via a series of special desaturation and elongation enzymes (i.e., “PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzymes”) present in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. More specifically, “PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzyme” refers to any of the following enzymes (and genes which encode said enzymes) associated with the biosynthesis of a PUFA, including: a ω4 desaturase, a ω5 desaturase, a ω6 desaturase, a Δ12 desaturase, a ω15 desaturase, a ω17 desaturase, a Δ9 desaturase, a ω8 desaturase, a Δ9 elongase, a C_(14/16) elongase, a C_(16/18) elongase, a C_(18/20) elongase and/or a C_(20/22) elongase.

The term “omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway” refers to a set of genes which, when expressed under the appropriate conditions encode enzymes that catalyze the production of either or both ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids. Typically the genes involved in the ω-3/ω-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway encode PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzymes. A representative pathway is illustrated in FIG. 1, providing for the conversion of myristic acid through various intermediates to DHA, which demonstrates how both ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids may be produced from a common source. The pathway is naturally divided into two portions where one portion will generate ω-3 fatty acids and the other portion, only ω-6 fatty acids.

The term “functional” as used herein in context with the ω-3/ω-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway means that some (or all of) the genes in the pathway express active enzymes, resulting in in vivo catalysis or substrate conversion. It should be understood that “ω-3/ω-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway” or “functional ω-3/ω-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathway” does not imply that all of the PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzyme genes are required, as a number of fatty acid products will only require the expression of a subset of the genes of this pathway.

The term “Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase pathway” refers to a biosynthetic pathway for production of long-chain PUFAs. This pathway, at a minimum, comprises a Δ9 elongase and a ω8 desaturase, thereby enabling biosynthesis of DGLA and/or ETA from LA and ALA, respectively. With expression of other desaturases and elongases, ARA, EPA, DPA and DHA may also be synthesized. This pathway may be advantageous in some embodiments, as the biosynthesis of GLA and/or STA is excluded.

The term “intermediate fatty acid” refers to any fatty acid produced in a fatty acid metabolic pathway that can be further converted to an intended product fatty acid in this pathway by the action of other metabolic pathway enzymes. For instance, when EPA is produced using the Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase pathway, EDA, ETrA, DGLA, ETA and ARA can be produced and are considered “intermediate fatty acids” since these fatty acids can be further converted to EPA via action of other metabolic pathway enzymes.

The term “by-product fatty acid” refers to any fatty acid produced in a fatty acid metabolic pathway that is not the intended fatty acid product of the pathway nor an “intermediate fatty acid” of the pathway. For instance, when EPA is produced using the Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase pathway, sciadonic acid (SCI) and juniperonic acid (JUP) also can be produced by the action of a ω5 desaturase on either EDA or ETrA, respectively. They are considered to be “by-product fatty acids” since neither can be further converted to EPA by the action of other metabolic pathway enzymes.

“Desaturase” is a polypeptide that can desaturate, i.e., introduce a double bond, in one or more fatty acids to produce a fatty acid or precursor of interest. Despite use of the omega-reference system throughout the specification to refer to specific fatty acids, it is more convenient to indicate the activity of a desaturase by counting from the carboxyl end of the substrate using the delta-system. Desaturases of interest include, for example: (1) ω8 desaturases that will desaturate a fatty acid between the eighth and ninth carbon atom numbered from the carboxyl-terminal end of the molecule and that can, for example, catalyze the conversion of EDA to DGLA and/or ETrA to ETA; (2) ω5 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of DGLA to ARA and/or ETA to EPA; (3) ω6 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of LA to GLA and/or ALA to STA; (4) ω4 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of DPA to DHA; (5) Δ12 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to LA; (6) ω15 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of LA to ALA and/or GLA to STA; (7) ω17 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of ARA to EPA and/or DGLA to ETA; and (8) Δ9 desaturases that catalyze the conversion of palmitate to palmitoleic acid (16:1) and/or stearate to oleic acid (18:1). In the art, ω15 and ω17 desaturases are also occasionally referred to as “omega-3 desaturases”, “ω-3 desaturases”, and/or “ω-3 desaturases”, based on their ability to convert ω-6 fatty acids into their ω-3 counterparts (e.g., conversion of LA into ALA and ARA into EPA, respectively). In some embodiments, it is most desirable to empirically determine the specificity of a particular fatty acid desaturase by transforming a suitable host with the gene for the fatty acid desaturase and determining its effect on the fatty acid profile of the host.

For the purposes herein, the term “EgD8” refers to a ω8 desaturase enzyme (SEQ ID NO:61) isolated from Euglena gracilis, encoded by SEQ ID NO:60 herein. EgD8 is 100% identical and functionally equivalent to “Eg5”, as described in PCT Publications No. WO 2006/012325 and No. WO 2006/012326 [SEQ ID NO:2 of U.S. Publication No. 2005-0287652-A1].

Similarly, the term “EgD8S” refers to a synthetic ω8 desaturase derived from Euglena gracilis that is codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica herein (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:68 and 69). EgD8S is 100% identical and functionally equivalent to “D8SF”, as described in PCT Publications No. WO 2006/012325 and No. WO 2006/012326.

The term “elongase system” refers to a suite of four enzymes that are responsible for elongation of a fatty acid carbon chain to produce a fatty acid that is two carbons longer than the fatty acid substrate that the elongase system acts upon. More specifically, the process of elongation occurs in association with fatty acid synthase, whereby CoA is the acyl carrier (Lassner et al., Plant Cell, 8:281-292 (1996)). In the first step, which has been found to be both substrate-specific and also rate-limiting, malonyl-CoA is condensed with a long-chain acyl-CoA to yield carbon dioxide (CO₂) and a β-ketoacyl-CoA (where the acyl moiety has been elongated by two carbon atoms). Subsequent reactions include reduction to β-hydroxyacyl-CoA, dehydration to an enoyl-CoA and a second reduction to yield the elongated acyl-CoA. Examples of reactions catalyzed by elongase systems are the conversion of GLA to DGLA, STA to ETA and EPA to DPA.

For the purposes herein, an enzyme catalyzing the first condensation reaction (i.e., conversion of malonyl-CoA to β-ketoacyl-CoA) will be referred to generically as an “elongase”. In general, the substrate selectivity of elongases is somewhat broad but segregated by both chain length and the degree of unsaturation. Accordingly, elongases can have different specificities. For example: a C_(14/16) elongase will utilize a C₁₄ substrate (e.g., myristic acid); a C_(16/18) elongase will utilize a C₁₆ substrate (e.g., palmitate); a C_(18/20) elongase (also known as a ω6 elongase as the terms can be used interchangeably) will utilize a C₁₈ substrate (e.g., GLA, STA); and a C_(20/22) elongase will utilize a C₂₀ substrate (e.g., EPA). In like manner, and of particular interest herein, a “Δ9 elongase” is able to catalyze the conversion of LA and ALA to EDA and ETrA, respectively. It is important to note that some elongases have broad specificity and thus a single enzyme may be capable of catalyzing several elongase reactions. Thus, for example, a Δ9 elongase may also act as a C_(16/18) elongase, C_(18/20) elongase and/or C_(20/22) elongase and may have alternate, but not preferred, specificities for ω5 and ω6 fatty acids such as EPA and/or GLA, respectively. In preferred embodiments, it is desirable to empirically determine the specificity of a fatty acid elongase by transforming a suitable host with the gene for the fatty acid elongase and determining its effect on the fatty acid profile of the host.

For the purposes herein, the term “EgD9e” refers to a Δ9 elongase enzyme (SEQ ID NO:2) isolated from Euglena gracilis, encoded by SEQ ID NO:1. In contrast, the term “EgD9eS” refers to a synthetic Δ9 elongase derived from Euglena gracilis that is codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:3 and 2).

The term “E389D9e” refers to a Δ9 elongase enzyme (SEQ ID NO:5) isolated from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389, encoded by SEQ ID NO:4. In contrast, the term “E389D9eS” refers to a synthetic Δ9 elongase derived from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 that is codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:6 and 5).

The term “IgD9e” refers to a Δ9 elongase enzyme (SEQ ID NO:8; NCBI Accession No. AAL37626 [GI 17226123], locus AAL37626, CDS AF390174; GenBank Accession No. AF390174) isolated from Isochrysis galbana, encoded by SEQ ID NO:7. In contrast, the term “IgD9eS” refers to a synthetic Δ9 elongase derived from Isochrysis galbana that is codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (i.e., SEQ ID NOs:9 and 8). Synthesis and functional analysis of IgD9eS is described in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870 (wherein IgD9eS is equivalent to SEQ ID NOs:51 and 50 therein).

The term “amino acid” will refer to the basic chemical structural unit of a protein or polypeptide. Amino acids are identified by either the one-letter code or the three-letter codes for amino acids, in conformity with the IUPAC-IYUB standards described in Nucleic Acids Research, 13:3021-3030 (1985) and in the Biochemical Journal, 219 (2):345-373 (1984), which are herein incorporated by reference.

The term “conservative amino acid substitution” refers to a substitution of an amino acid residue in a given protein with another amino acid, without altering the chemical or functional nature of that protein. For example, it is well known in the art that alterations in a gene that result in the production of a chemically equivalent amino acid at a given site (but that do not affect the structural and functional properties of the encoded, folded protein) are common. For the purposes of the present invention, “conservative amino acid substitutions” are defined as exchanges within one of the following five groups:

-   -   1. Small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightly polar residues: Ala         [A], Ser [S], Thr [T] (Pro [P], Gly [G]);     -   2. Polar, negatively charged residues and their amides: Asp [D],         Asn [N], Glu [E], Gln [Q];     -   3. Polar, positively charged residues: His [H], Arg [R], Lys         [K];     -   4. Large aliphatic, nonpolar residues: Met [M], Leu [L], Ile         [I], Val [V] (Cys [C]); and,     -   5. Large aromatic residues: Phe [F], Tyr [Y], Trp [W].         Conservative amino acid substitutions generally maintain: 1) the         structure of the polypeptide backbone in the area of the         substitution; 2) the charge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at         the target site; or 3) the bulk of the side chain. Additionally,         in many cases, alterations of the N-terminal and C-terminal         portions of the protein molecule would also not be expected to         alter the activity of the protein.

The term “non-conservative amino acid substitution” refers to an amino acid substitution that is generally expected to produce the greatest change in protein properties. Thus, for example, a non-conservative amino acid substitution would be one whereby: 1) a hydrophilic residue is substituted for/by a hydrophobic residue (e.g., Ser or Thr for/by Leu, Ile, Val); 2) a Cys or Pro is substituted for/by any other residue; 3) a residue having an electropositive side chain is substituted for/by an electronegative residue (e.g., Lys, Arg or His for/by Asp or Glu); or, 4) a residue having a bulky side chain is substituted for/by one not having a side chain (e.g., Phe for/by Gly). Sometimes, non-conservative amino acid substitutions between two of the five groups will not affect the activity of the encoded protein.

The terms “polynucleotide”, “polynucleotide sequence”, “nucleic acid sequence”, “nucleic acid fragment” and “isolated nucleic acid fragment” are used interchangeably herein. These terms encompass nucleotide sequences and the like. A polynucleotide may be a polymer of RNA or DNA that is single- or double-stranded, that optionally contains synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases. A polynucleotide in the form of a polymer of DNA may be comprised of one or more segments of cDNA, genomic DNA, synthetic DNA, or mixtures thereof. Nucleotides (usually found in their 5′-monophosphate form) are referred to by a single letter designation as follows: “A” for adenylate or deoxyadenylate (for RNA or DNA, respectively), “C” for cytidylate or deoxycytidylate, “G” for guanylate or deoxyguanylate, “U” for uridylate, “T” for deoxythymidylate, “R” for purines (A or G), “Y” for pyrimidines (C or T), “K” for G or T, “H” for A or C or T, “I” for inosine, and “N” for any nucleotide.

The terms “subfragment that is functionally equivalent” and “functionally equivalent subfragment” are used interchangeably herein. These terms refer to a portion or subsequence of an isolated nucleic acid fragment in which the ability to alter gene expression or produce a certain phenotype is retained whether or not the fragment or subfragment encodes an active enzyme. For example, the fragment or subfragment can be used in the design of chimeric genes to produce the desired phenotype in a transformed plant. Chimeric genes can be designed for use in suppression by linking a nucleic acid fragment or subfragment thereof, whether or not it encodes an active enzyme, in the sense or antisense orientation relative to a plant promoter sequence.

The term “conserved domain” or “motif” means a set of amino acids conserved at specific positions along an aligned sequence of evolutionarily related proteins. While amino acids at other positions can vary between homologous proteins, amino acids that are highly conserved at specific positions indicate amino acids that are essential in the structure, the stability, or the activity of a protein. Because they are identified by their high degree of conservation in aligned sequences of a family of protein homologues, they can be used as identifiers, or “signatures”, to determine if a protein with a newly determined sequence belongs to a previously identified protein family. For the purposes herein, the following Table describes motifs of the present invention which are indicative of a protein having Δ9 elongase activity.

TABLE 4 Summary Of Δ9 Elongase Motifs Protein SEQ Description Sequence ID NO. Δ9 Elongase Motif #1 Y N X (L or F) X X X X S X X S F 123 Δ9 Elongase Motif #2 F Y X S K X X (E or D) Y X D (T 124 or S) X X L Δ9 Elongase Motif #3 L(Q or H) X F H H X G A 125 Δ9 Elongase Motif #4 M Y X Y Y X X X X X X X (K or R 126 or N) F Δ9 Elongase Motif #5 K X L (I or L or M) T X X Q 127 Δ9 Elongase Motif #6 W X F N Y X Y 128 Δ9 Elongase Motif #7 Y X G X V X X L F 129

The terms “homology”, “homologous”, “substantially similar” and “corresponding substantially” are used interchangeably herein. They refer to nucleic acid fragments wherein changes in one or more nucleotide bases do not affect the ability of the nucleic acid fragment to mediate gene expression or produce a certain phenotype. These terms also refer to modifications of the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention such as deletion or insertion of one or more nucleotides that do not substantially alter the functional properties of the resulting nucleic acid fragment relative to the initial, unmodified fragment. It is therefore understood, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, that the invention encompasses more than the specific exemplary sequences.

Moreover, the skilled artisan recognizes that substantially similar nucleic acid sequences encompassed by this invention are also defined by their ability to hybridize (under moderately stringent conditions, e.g., 0.5×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 60° C.) with the sequences exemplified herein, or to any portion of the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein and which are functionally equivalent to any of the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein. Stringency conditions can be adjusted to screen for moderately similar fragments, such as homologous sequences from distantly related organisms, to highly similar fragments, such as genes that duplicate functional enzymes from closely related organisms. Post-hybridization washes determine stringency conditions.

The term “selectively hybridizes” includes reference to hybridization, under stringent hybridization conditions, of a nucleic acid sequence to a specified nucleic acid target sequence to a detectably greater degree (e.g., at least 2-fold over background) than its hybridization to non-target nucleic acid sequences and to the substantial exclusion of non-target nucleic acids. Selectively hybridizing sequences typically have about at least 80% sequence identity, or 90% sequence identity, up to and including 100% sequence identity (i.e., fully complementary) with each other.

The term “stringent conditions” or “stringent hybridization conditions” includes reference to conditions under which a probe will selectively hybridize to its target sequence. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances. By controlling the stringency of the hybridization and/or washing conditions, target sequences can be identified which are 100% complementary to the probe (homologous probing). Alternatively, stringency conditions can be adjusted to allow some mismatching in sequences so that lower degrees of similarity are detected (heterologous probing). Generally, a probe is less than about 1000 nucleotides in length, optionally less than 500 nucleotides in length. Typically, stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.5 M Na ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M Na ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about 30° C. for short probes (e.g., 10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60° C. for long probes (e.g., greater than 50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such as formamide. Exemplary low stringency conditions include hybridization with a buffer solution of 30 to 35% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) at 37° C., and a wash in 1× to 2×SSC (20×SSC=3.0 M NaCl/0.3 M trisodium citrate) at 50 to 55° C. Exemplary moderate stringency conditions include hybridization in 40 to 45% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37° C., and a wash in 0.5× to 1×SSC at 55 to 60° C. Exemplary high stringency conditions include hybridization in 50% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37° C., and a wash in 0.1×SSC at 60 to 65° C. Other exemplary stringent hybridization conditions include 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS.

Specificity is typically the function of post-hybridization washes, the important factors being the ionic strength and temperature of the final wash solution. For DNA-DNA hybrids, the T_(m) can be approximated from the equation of Meinkoth et al., Anal. Biochem., 138:267-284 (1984): T_(m)=81.5° C.+16.6 (log M)+0.41 (% GC)−0.61 (% form)−500/L; where M is the molarity of monovalent cations, % GC is the percentage of guanosine and cytosine nucleotides in the DNA, % form is the percentage of formamide in the hybridization solution, and L is the length of the hybrid in base pairs. The T_(m) is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of a complementary target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. T_(m) is reduced by about 1° C. for each 1% of mismatching; thus, T_(m), hybridization and/or wash conditions can be adjusted to hybridize to sequences of the desired identity. For example, if sequences with ≧90% identity are sought, the T_(m) can be decreased 10° C. Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence and its complement at a defined ionic strength and pH. However, severely stringent conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 1, 2, 3 or 4° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)); moderately stringent conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)); low stringency conditions can utilize a hybridization and/or wash at 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 20° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)). Using the equation, hybridization and wash compositions, and desired T_(m), those of ordinary skill will understand that variations in the stringency of hybridization and/or wash solutions are inherently described. If the desired degree of mismatching results in a T_(m) of less than 45° C. (aqueous solution) or 32° C. (formamide solution) it is preferred to increase the SSC concentration so that a higher temperature can be used. An extensive guide to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen, Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—Hybridization with Nucleic Acid Probes, Part I, Chapter 2 “Overview of principles of hybridization and the strategy of nucleic acid probe assays”, Elsevier, New York (1993); and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Chapter 2, Ausubel et al., Eds., Greene Publishing and Wiley-Interscience, New York (1995). Hybridization and/or wash conditions can be applied for at least 10, 30, 60, 90, 120 or 240 minutes.

“Sequence identity” or “identity” in the context of nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences refers to the nucleic acid bases or amino acid residues in two sequences that are the same when aligned for maximum correspondence over a specified comparison window.

Thus, “percentage of sequence identity” refers to the value determined by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, wherein the portion of the polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) as compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage is calculated by determining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base or amino acid residue occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison and multiplying the results by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. Useful examples of percent sequence identities include, but are not limited to, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%, or any integer percentage from 50% to 100%. These identities can be determined using any of the programs described herein.

Sequence alignments and percent identity or similarity calculations may be determined using a variety of comparison methods designed to detect homologous sequences including, but not limited to, the MegAlign™ program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Within the context of this application it will be understood that where sequence analysis software is used for analysis, that the results of the analysis will be based on the “default values” of the program referenced, unless otherwise specified. As used herein “default values” will mean any set of values or parameters that originally load with the software when first initialized.

The “Clustal V method of alignment” corresponds to the alignment method labeled Clustal V (described by Higgins and Sharp, CABIOS, 5:151-153 (1989); Higgins, D. G. et al., Comput. Appl. Biosci., 8:189-191 (1992)) and found in the MegAlign™ program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (supra). For multiple alignments, the default values correspond to GAP PENALTY=10 and GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10. Default parameters for pairwise alignments and calculation of percent identity of protein sequences using the Clustal method are KTUPLE=1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5. For nucleic acids these parameters are KTUPLE=2, GAP PENALTY=5, WINDOW=4 and DIAGONALS SAVED=4. After alignment of the sequences using the Clustal V program, it is possible to obtain a “percent identity” by viewing the “sequence distances” table in the same program.

“BLASTN method of alignment” is an algorithm provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to compare nucleotide sequences using default parameters.

It is well understood by one skilled in the art that many levels of sequence identity are useful in identifying polypeptides, from other species, wherein such polypeptides have the same or similar function or activity. Useful examples of percent identities include, but are not limited to, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95%, or any integer percentage from 50% to 100%. Indeed, any integer amino acid identity from 50% to 100% may be useful in describing the present invention, such as 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%. Also, of interest is any full-length or partial complement of this isolated nucleotide fragment.

The term “genome” as it applies to a plant cells encompasses not only chromosomal DNA found within the nucleus, but organelle DNA found within subcellular components (e.g., mitochondrial, plastid) of the cell.

“Gene” refers to a nucleic acid fragment that expresses a specific protein, including regulatory sequences preceding (5′ non-coding sequences) and following (3′ non-coding sequences) the coding sequence. “Native gene” refers to a gene as found in nature with its own regulatory sequences. “Chimeric gene” refers to any gene that is not a native gene, comprising regulatory and coding sequences that are not found together in nature. Accordingly, a chimeric gene may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source, but arranged in a manner different than that found in nature. A “foreign” gene refers to a gene not normally found in the host organism, but that is introduced into the host organism by gene transfer. Foreign genes can comprise native genes inserted into a non-native organism, or chimeric genes. A “transgene” is a gene that has been introduced into the genome by a transformation procedure.

A “codon-optimized gene” is a gene having its frequency of codon usage designed to mimic the frequency of preferred codon usage of the host cell.

An “allele” is one of several alternative forms of a gene occupying a given locus on a chromosome. When all the alleles present at a given locus on a chromosome are the same, that plant is homozygous at that locus. If the alleles present at a given locus on a chromosome differ, that plant is heterozygous at that locus.

“Coding sequence” refers to a DNA sequence that codes for a specific amino acid sequence. “Regulatory sequences” refer to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5′ non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3′ non-coding sequences) of a coding sequence, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or translation of the associated coding sequence. Regulatory sequences may include, but are not limited to: promoters, translation leader sequences, introns, polyadenylation recognition sequences, RNA processing sites, effector binding sites and stem-loop structures.

“Promoter” refers to a DNA sequence capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA. The promoter sequence consists of proximal and more distal upstream elements, the latter elements often referred to as enhancers. Accordingly, an “enhancer” is a DNA sequence that can stimulate promoter activity, and may be an innate element of the promoter or a heterologous element inserted to enhance the level or tissue-specificity of a promoter. Promoters may be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise synthetic DNA segments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that different promoters may direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental conditions. It is further recognized that since in most cases the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, DNA fragments of some variation may have identical promoter activity. Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed in most cell types at most times are commonly referred to as “constitutive promoters”. New promoters of various types useful in plant cells are constantly being discovered; numerous examples may be found in the compilation by Okamuro, J. K., and Goldberg, R. B. Biochemistry of Plants, 15:1-82 (1989).

“Translation leader sequence” refers to a polynucleotide sequence located between the promoter sequence of a gene and the coding sequence. The translation leader sequence is present in the fully processed mRNA upstream of the translation start sequence. The translation leader sequence may affect processing of the primary transcript to mRNA, mRNA stability or translation efficiency. Examples of translation leader sequences have been described (Turner, R. and Foster, G. D., Mol. Biotechnol., 3:225-236 (1995)).

“3′ non-coding sequences”, “transcription terminator” or “termination sequences” refer to DNA sequences located downstream of a coding sequence and include polyadenylation recognition sequences and other sequences encoding regulatory signals capable of affecting mRNA processing or gene expression. The polyadenylation signal is usually characterized by affecting the addition of polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor. The use of different 3′ non-coding sequences is exemplified by Ingelbrecht, I. L., et al. Plant Cell, 1:671-680 (1989).

“RNA transcript” refers to the product resulting from RNA polymerase-catalyzed transcription of a DNA sequence. When the RNA transcript is a perfect complementary copy of the DNA sequence, it is referred to as the primary transcript. A RNA transcript is referred to as the mature RNA when it is a RNA sequence derived from post-transcriptional processing of the primary transcript. “Messenger RNA” or “mRNA” refers to the RNA that is without introns and that can be translated into protein by the cell. “cDNA” refers to a DNA that is complementary to, and synthesized from, a mRNA template using the enzyme reverse transcriptase. The cDNA can be single-stranded or converted into double-stranded form using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I. “Sense” RNA refers to RNA transcript that includes the mRNA and can be translated into protein within a cell or in vitro. “Antisense RNA” refers to an RNA transcript that is complementary to all or part of a target primary transcript or mRNA, and that blocks the expression of a target gene (U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,065). The complementarity of an antisense RNA may be with any part of the specific gene transcript, i.e., at the 5′ non-coding sequence, 3′ non-coding sequence, introns, or the coding sequence. “Functional RNA” refers to antisense RNA, ribozyme RNA, or other RNA that may not be translated but yet has an effect on cellular processes. The terms “complement” and “reverse complement” are used interchangeably herein with respect to mRNA transcripts, and are meant to define the antisense RNA of the message.

The term “operably linked” refers to the association of nucleic acid sequences on a single nucleic acid fragment so that the function of one is regulated by the other. For example, a promoter is operably linked with a coding sequence when it is capable of regulating the expression of that coding sequence (i.e., the coding sequence is under the transcriptional control of the promoter). Coding sequences can be operably linked to regulatory sequences in a sense or antisense orientation. In another example, the complementary RNA regions of the invention can be operably linked, either directly or indirectly, 5′ to the target mRNA, or 3′ to the target mRNA, or within the target mRNA, or a first complementary region is 5′ and its complement is 3′ to the target mRNA.

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used herein are well known in the art and are described more fully in Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989). Transformation methods are well known to those skilled in the art and are described below.

“PCR” or “polymerase chain reaction” is a technique for the synthesis of large quantities of specific DNA segments and consists of a series of repetitive cycles (Perkin Elmer Cetus Instruments, Norwalk, Conn.). Typically, the double-stranded DNA is heat denatured, the two primers complementary to the 3′ boundaries of the target segment are annealed at low temperature and then extended at an intermediate temperature. One set of these three consecutive steps is referred to as a “cycle”.

The term “recombinant” refers to an artificial combination of two otherwise separated segments of sequence, e.g., by chemical synthesis or by the manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids by genetic engineering techniques.

The terms “plasmid”, “vector” and “cassette” refer to an extra chromosomal element often carrying genes that are not part of the central metabolism of the cell, and usually in the form of circular double-stranded DNA fragments. Such elements may be autonomously replicating sequences, genome integrating sequences, phage or nucleotide sequences, linear or circular, of a single- or double-stranded DNA or RNA, derived from any source, in which a number of nucleotide sequences have been joined or recombined into a unique construction which is capable of introducing a promoter fragment and DNA sequence for a selected gene product along with appropriate 3′ untranslated sequence into a cell. “Transformation cassette” refers to a specific vector containing a foreign gene and having elements in addition to the foreign gene that facilitates transformation of a particular host cell. “Expression cassette” refers to a specific vector containing a foreign gene and having elements in addition to the foreign gene that allow for enhanced expression of that gene in a foreign host (i.e., to a discrete nucleic acid fragment into which a nucleic acid sequence or fragment can be moved).

The terms “recombinant construct”, “expression construct”, “chimeric construct”, “construct”, and “recombinant DNA construct” are used interchangeably herein. A recombinant construct comprises an artificial combination of nucleic acid fragments, e.g., regulatory and coding sequences that are not found together in nature. For example, a chimeric construct may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source, but arranged in a manner different than that found in nature. Such a construct may be used by itself or may be used in conjunction with a vector. If a vector is used, then the choice of vector is dependent upon the method that will be used to transform host cells as is well known to those skilled in the art. For example, a plasmid vector can be used. The skilled artisan is well aware of the genetic elements that must be present on the vector in order to successfully transform, select and propagate host cells comprising any of the isolated nucleic acid fragments of the invention. The skilled artisan will also recognize that different independent transformation events will result in different levels and patterns of expression (Jones et al., EMBO J., 4:2411-2418 (1985); De Almeida et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics, 218:78-86 (1989)), and thus it is preferable if multiple events are screened in order to obtain lines displaying the desired expression level and pattern. Such screening may be accomplished by Southern analysis of DNA, Northern analysis of mRNA expression, immunoblotting analysis of protein expression, or phenotypic analysis, among others.

The term “expression”, as used herein, refers to the production of a functional end-product (e.g., a mRNA or a protein [either precursor or mature]).

The term “introduced” means providing a nucleic acid (e.g., expression construct) or protein into a cell. Introduced includes reference to the incorporation of a nucleic acid into a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell where the nucleic acid may be incorporated into the genome of the cell, and includes reference to the transient provision of a nucleic acid or protein to the cell. Introduced includes reference to stable or transient transformation methods, as well as sexually crossing. Thus, “introduced” in the context of inserting a nucleic acid fragment (e.g., a recombinant DNA construct/expression construct) into a cell, means “transfection” or “transformation” or “transduction” and includes reference to the incorporation of a nucleic acid fragment into a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell where the nucleic acid fragment may be incorporated into the genome of the cell (e.g., chromosome, plasmid, plastid or mitochondrial DNA), converted into an autonomous replicon, or transiently expressed (e.g., transfected mRNA).

“Mature” protein refers to a post-translationally processed polypeptide (i.e., one from which any pre- or propeptides present in the primary translation product have been removed). “Precursor” protein refers to the primary product of translation of mRNA (i.e., with pre- and propeptides still present). Pre- and propeptides may be but are not limited to intracellular localization signals.

“Stable transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into a genome of a host organism, including both nuclear and organellar genomes, resulting in genetically stable inheritance. In contrast, “transient transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into the nucleus, or DNA-containing organelle, of a host organism resulting in gene expression without integration or stable inheritance. Host organisms containing the transformed nucleic acid fragments are referred to as “transgenic” organisms.

As used herein, “transgenic” refers to a plant or a cell which comprises within its genome a heterologous polynucleotide. Preferably, the heterologous polynucleotide is stably integrated within the genome such that the polynucleotide is passed on to successive generations. The heterologous polynucleotide may be integrated into the genome alone or as part of an expression construct. Transgenic is used herein to include any cell, cell line, callus, tissue, plant part or plant, the genotype of which has been altered by the presence of heterologous nucleic acids, including those transgenics initially so altered as well as those created by sexual crosses or asexual propagation from the initial transgenic. The term “transgenic” as used herein does not encompass the alteration of the genome (chromosomal or extra-chromosomal) by conventional plant breeding methods or by naturally occurring events such as random cross-fertilization, non-recombinant viral infection, non-recombinant bacterial transformation, non-recombinant transposition, or spontaneous mutation.

“Antisense inhibition” refers to the production of antisense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of the target protein. “Co-suppression” refers to the production of sense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of identical or substantially similar foreign or endogenous genes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,020). Co-suppression constructs in plants previously have been designed by focusing on overexpression of a nucleic acid sequence having homology to an endogenous mRNA, in the sense orientation, which results in the reduction of all RNA having homology to the overexpressed sequence (Vaucheret et al., Plant J., 16:651-659 (1998); Gura, Nature, 404:804-808 (2000)). The overall efficiency of this phenomenon is low, and the extent of the RNA reduction is widely variable. More recent work has described the use of “hairpin” structures that incorporate all, or part, of an mRNA encoding sequence in a complementary orientation that results in a potential “stem-loop” structure for the expressed RNA (PCT Publication No. WO 99/53050; PCT Publication No. WO 02/00904). This increases the frequency of co-suppression in the recovered transgenic plants. Another variation describes the use of plant viral sequences to direct the suppression, or “silencing”, of proximal mRNA encoding sequences (PCT Publication No. WO 98/36083). Both of these co-suppressing phenomena have not been elucidated mechanistically, although genetic evidence has begun to unravel this complex situation (Elmayan et al., Plant Cell, 10:1747-1757 (1998)).

The term “oleaginous” refers to those organisms that tend to store their energy source in the form of lipid (Weete, In: Fungal Lipid Biochemistry, 2^(nd) Ed., Plenum, 1980). A class of plants identified as oleaginous are commonly referred to as “oilseed” plants. Examples of oilseed plants include, but are not limited to: soybean (Glycine and Soja sp.), flax (Linum sp.), rapeseed (Brassica sp.), maize, cotton, safflower (Carthamus sp.) and sunflower (Helianthus sp.).

Within oleaginous microorganisms the cellular oil or TAG content generally follows a sigmoid curve, wherein the concentration of lipid increases until it reaches a maximum at the late logarithmic or early stationary growth phase and then gradually decreases during the late stationary and death phases (Yongmanitchai and Ward, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 57:419-25 (1991)).

The term “oleaginous yeast” refers to those microorganisms classified as yeasts that make oil. It is not uncommon for oleaginous microorganisms to accumulate in excess of about 25% of their dry cell weight as oil. Examples of oleaginous yeast include, but are no means limited to, the following genera: Yarrowia, Candida, Rhodotorula, Rhodosporidium, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon and Lipomyces.

The term “Euglenophyceae” refers to a group of unicellular colorless or photosynthetic flagellates (“euglenoids”) found living in freshwater, marine, soil and parasitic environments. The class is characterized by solitary unicells, wherein most are free-swimming and have two flagella (one of which may be nonemergent) arising from an anterior invagination known as a reservoir. Photosynthetic euglenoids contain one to many chloroplasts, which vary from minute disks to expanded plates or ribbons. Colorless euglenoids depend on osmotrophy or phagotrophy for nutrient assimilation. About 1000 species have been described and classified into about 40 genera and 6 orders. Examples of Euglenophyceae include, but are no means limited to, the following genera: Eutreptiella, Euglena and Tetruetreptia.

The term “plant” refers to whole plants, plant organs, plant tissues, seeds, plant cells, seeds and progeny of the same. Plant cells include, without limitation, cells from seeds, suspension cultures, embryos, meristematic regions, callus tissue, leaves, roots, shoots, gametophytes, sporophytes, pollen and microspores.

“Progeny” comprises any subsequent generation of a plant.

An Overview Microbial Biosynthesis of Fatty Acids and Triacylglycerols

In general, lipid accumulation in oleaginous microorganisms is triggered in response to the overall carbon to nitrogen ratio present in the growth medium. This process, leading to the de novo synthesis of free palmitate (16:0) in oleaginous microorganisms, is described in detail in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757. Palmitate is the precursor of longer-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acid derivates, which are formed through the action of elongases and desaturases (FIG. 1).

TAGs (the primary storage unit for fatty acids) are formed by a series of reactions that involve: 1) the esterification of one molecule of acyl-CoA to glycerol-3-phosphate via an acyltransferase to produce lysophosphatidic acid; 2) the esterification of a second molecule of acyl-CoA via an acyltransferase to yield 1,2-diacylglycerol phosphate (commonly identified as phosphatidic acid); 3) removal of a phosphate by phosphatidic acid phosphatase to yield 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG); and 4) the addition of a third fatty acid by the action of an acyltransferase to form TAG. A wide spectrum of fatty acids can be incorporated into TAGs, including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and short-chain and long-chain fatty acids.

Biosynthesis of Omega Fatty Acids

The metabolic process wherein oleic acid is converted to long-chain ω-3/ω-6 fatty acids involves elongation of the carbon chain through the addition of carbon atoms and desaturation of the molecule through the addition of double bonds. This requires a series of special desaturation and elongation enzymes present in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. However, as seen in FIG. 1 and as described below, there are often multiple alternate pathways for production of a specific ω-3/ω-6 fatty acid.

Specifically, all pathways require the initial conversion of oleic acid to LA, the first of the ω-6 fatty acids, by a Δ12 desaturase. Then, using the “Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase pathway”, long-chain ω-6 fatty acids are formed as follows: (1) LA is converted to EDA by a Δ9 elongase; (2) EDA is converted to DGLA by a ω8 desaturase; and (3) DGLA is converted to ARA by a ω5 desaturase. Alternatively, the “Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase pathway” can be utilized for formation of long-chain ω-3 fatty acids as follows: (1) LA is converted to ALA, the first of the ω-3 fatty acids, by a ω15 desaturase; (2) ALA is converted to ETrA by a Δ9 elongase; (3) ETrA is converted to ETA by a ω8 desaturase; (4) ETA is converted to EPA by a ω5 desaturase; (5) EPA is converted to DPA by a C_(20/22) elongase; and (6) DPA is converted to DHA by a ω4 desaturase. Optionally, ω-6 fatty acids may be converted to ω-3 fatty acids; for example, ETA and EPA are produced from DGLA and ARA, respectively, by ω17 desaturase activity.

Alternate pathways for the biosynthesis of ω-3/ω-6 fatty acids utilize a ω6 desaturase and C_(18/20) elongase (i.e., the “Δ6 desaturase/ω6 elongase pathway”). More specifically, LA and ALA may be converted to GLA and STA, respectively, by a ω6 desaturase; then, a C_(18/20) elongase converts GLA to DGLA and/or STA to ETA.

It is contemplated that the particular functionalities required to be introduced into a specific host organism for production of aω-3/ω-6 fatty acids will depend on the host cell (and its native PUFA profile and/or desaturase/elongase profile), the availability of substrate, and the desired end product(s). For example, expression of the Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase pathway may be preferred in some embodiments, as opposed to expression of the Δ6 desaturase/ω6 elongase pathway, since PUFAs produced via the former pathway are devoid of GLA.

One skilled in the art will be able to identify various candidate genes encoding each of the enzymes desired for ω-3/ω-6 fatty acid biosynthesis. Useful desaturase and elongase sequences may be derived from any source, e.g., isolated from a natural source (from bacteria, algae, fungi, plants, animals, etc.), produced via a semi-synthetic route or synthesized de novo. Although the particular source of the desaturase and elongase genes introduced into the host is not critical, considerations for choosing a specific polypeptide having desaturase or elongase activity include: 1) the substrate specificity of the polypeptide; 2) whether the polypeptide or a component thereof is a rate-limiting enzyme; 3) whether the desaturase or elongase is essential for synthesis of a desired PUFA; and/or 4) co-factors required by the polypeptide. The expressed polypeptide preferably has parameters compatible with the biochemical environment of its location in the host cell (see PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757 for additional details).

In additional embodiments, it will also be useful to consider the conversion efficiency of each particular desaturase and/or elongase. More specifically, since each enzyme rarely functions with 100% efficiency to convert substrate to product, the final lipid profile of un-purified oils produced in a host cell will typically be a mixture of various PUFAs consisting of the desired ω-3/ω-6 fatty acid, as well as various upstream intermediary PUFAs. Thus, consideration of each enzyme's conversion efficiency is also a variable when optimizing biosynthesis of a desired fatty acid that must be considered in light of the final desired lipid profile of the product.

With each of the considerations above in mind, candidate genes having the appropriate desaturase and elongase activities (e.g., ω6 desaturases, C_(18/20) elongases, ω5 desaturases, ω17 desaturases, ω15 desaturases, Δ9 desaturases, Δ12 desaturases, C_(14/16) elongases, C_(16/18) elongases, Δ9 elongases, ω8 desaturases, ω4 desaturases and C_(20/22) elongases) can be identified according to publicly available literature (e.g., GenBank), the patent literature, and experimental analysis of organisms having the ability to produce PUFAs. These genes will be suitable for introduction into a specific host organism, to enable or enhance the organism's synthesis of PUFAs.

Sequence Identification of Novel Δ9 Elongases

In the present invention, nucleotide sequences encoding Δ9 elongases have been isolated from Euglena gracilis (designated herein as “EgD9e”) and Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 (designated herein as “E389D9e”).

Comparison of the EgD9e nucleotide base and deduced amino acid sequences to public databases reveals that the most similar known sequences (i.e., IgD9e) are about 31.8% identical to the amino acid sequence of EgD9e reported herein over a length of 258 amino acids using a Clustal V analysis.

Comparison of the E389D9e nucleotide base and deduced amino acid sequences to public databases reveals that the most similar known sequences (i.e., IgD9e) are about 33.1% identical to the amino acid sequence of E389D9e reported herein over a length of 263 amino acids using a Clustal V analysis.

For reference, comparison of the novel EgD9e and E389D9e protein sequences described herein as SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:5 share 65.1% identity using a Clustal V analysis.

Within the context of the present invention preferred amino acid fragments are at least about 70%-85% identical to the EgD9e and E389D9e sequences herein, where those sequences that are at least about 85%-90% identical are particularly suitable and those sequences that are at least about 90%-95% identical are most preferred. Preferred EgD9e and E389D9e encoding nucleic acid sequences corresponding to the instant ORFs are those encoding active proteins and which are at least about 70%-85% identical to the nucleic acid sequences of EgD9e and E389D9e reported herein, respectively, where those sequences that are at least 85%-90% identical are particularly suitable and those sequences that are at least about 90%-95% identical are most preferred.

In alternate embodiments, the instant EgD9e and E389D9e sequences can be codon-optimized for expression in a particular host organism. As is well known in the art, this can be a useful means to further optimize the expression of the enzyme in the alternate host, since use of host-preferred codons can substantially enhance the expression of the foreign gene encoding the polypeptide. In general, host-preferred codons can be determined within a particular host species of interest by examining codon usage in proteins (preferably those expressed in the largest amount) and determining which codons are used with highest frequency. Then, the coding sequence for a polypeptide of interest having e.g., elongase activity can be synthesized in whole or in part using the codons preferred in the host species. All (or portions) of the DNA also can be synthesized to remove any destabilizing sequences or regions of secondary structure that would be present in the transcribed mRNA. All (or portions) of the DNA also can be synthesized to alter the base composition to one more preferable in the desired host cell.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, EgD9e and E389D9e were codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica. This was possible by first determining the Y. lipolytica codon usage profile (see PCT Publication No. WO 04/101757) and identifying those codons that were preferred. Further optimization of gene expression in Y. lipolytica was achieved by determining the consensus sequence around the ‘ATG’ initiation codon.

Optimization of EgD9e resulted in modification of 117 by of the 777 by coding region (15.1%) and optimization of 106 codons. None of the modifications in the codon-optimized gene (“EgD9eS”; SEQ ID NO:3) changed the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein (SEQ ID NO:2). As described in Example 8, the codon-optimized gene was about 16.2% more efficient elongating LA to EDA than the wildtype EgD9e gene, when expressed in Y. lipolytica.

Similarly, optimization of E389D9e resulted in modification of 128 by of the 792 by coding region (16.2%) and optimization of 113 codons. None of the modifications in the codon-optimized gene (“E389D9eS”; SEQ ID NO:6) changed the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein (SEQ ID NO:5). As described in Example 24, the codon-optimized gene elongated LA to EDA with similar efficiency as the wildtype gene, when expressed in Y. lipolytica.

Thus, the present invention concerns an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, selected from the group consisting of:

(a) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least 70% amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 (EgD9e) or SEQ ID NO:5 (E389D9e);

(b) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence has at least 70% sequence identity, based on the BLASTN method of alignment, when compared to a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 (EgD9e), SEQ ID NO:3 (EgD9eS), SEQ ID NO:4 (E389D9e) or SEQ ID NO:6 (E389D9eS); and

(c) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 (EgD9e), SEQ ID NO:3 (EgD9eS), SEQ ID NO:4 (E389D9e) or SEQ ID NO:6 (E389D9eS) under the following stringent hybridization conditions: 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; and,

(d) a complement of the nucleotide sequence of (a), (b) or (c), wherein the complement and the nucleotide sequence consist of the same number of nucleotides and are 100% complementary.

One skilled in the art would be able to use the teachings herein to create various other codon-optimized Δ9 elongase proteins suitable for optimal expression in alternate hosts (i.e., other than Yarrowia lipolytica), based on the wildtype EgD9e and/or E389D9e sequence. This alternate host organism may include, but is not limited to, a plant or plant part. Accordingly, the instant invention relates to any codon-optimized Δ9 elongase protein that is derived from either the wildtype EgD9e (i.e., encoded by SEQ ID NO:2) or the wildtype E389D9e (i.e., encoded by SEQ ID NO:5). This includes, but is not limited to: the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 (which encodes a synthetic Δ9 elongase protein (i.e., EgD9eS)) and the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 (which encodes a synthetic Δ9 elongase protein (i.e., E389D9eS)), both of which were codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica.

In another aspect this invention concerns an isolated nucleic acid fragment comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a Δ9 elongase, excluding SEQ ID NO:8 (i.e., “IgD9e”, the Δ9 elongase from Isochrysis galbana (NCBI Accession No. AAL37626 (GI 17226123)), wherein the amino acid sequence comprising said Δ9 elongase contains at least one of the following amino acid sequence motifs selected from the group consisting of:

(SEQ ID NO: 123) a) Y N X (L or F) X X X X S X X S F; (SEQ ID NO: 124) b) F Y X S K X X (E or D) Y X D (T or S) X X L; (SEQ ID NO: 125) c) L (Q or H) X F H H X G A; (SEQ ID NO: 126) d) M Y X Y Y X X X X X X X (K or R or N) F; (SEQ ID NO: 127) e) K X L (I or L or M) T X X Q; (SEQ ID NO: 128) f) W X F N Y X Y; and (SEQ ID NO: 129) g) Y X G X V X X L F; wherein X can be any amino acid.

The underlined amino acids may be unique to Δ9 elongases. FIG. 2 sets forth a comparison of the Δ9 elongases of the present invention with a Δ9 elongase from Isochrysis galbana using a Clustal V alignment (with default parameters). Specifically, SEQ ID NO:2 (EgD9e), SEQ ID NO:5 (E389D9e) and SEQ ID NO:8 (IgD9e) were compared. Regions comprising the motifs of the invention are shown in boxes.

Identification and Isolation if Homologs

Any of the instant elongase sequences (i.e., EgD9e, EgD9eS, E389D9e, E389D9eS) or portions thereof may be used to search for Δ9 elongase homologs in the same or other bacterial, algal, fungal, euglenoid or plant species using sequence analysis software. In general, such computer software matches similar sequences by assigning degrees of homology to various substitutions, deletions and other modifications.

Alternatively, any of the instant elongase sequences or portions thereof may also be employed as hybridization reagents for the identification of Δ9 elongase homologs. The basic components of a nucleic acid hybridization test include a probe, a sample suspected of containing the gene or gene fragment of interest and a specific hybridization method. Probes of the present invention are typically single-stranded nucleic acid sequences that are complementary to the nucleic acid sequences to be detected. Probes are “hybridizable” to the nucleic acid sequence to be detected. Although the probe length can vary from 5 bases to tens of thousands of bases, typically a probe length of about 15 bases to about 30 bases is suitable. Only part of the probe molecule need be complementary to the nucleic acid sequence to be detected. In addition, the complementarity between the probe and the target sequence need not be perfect. Hybridization does occur between imperfectly complementary molecules with the result that a certain fraction of the bases in the hybridized region are not paired with the proper complementary base.

Hybridization methods are well defined. Typically the probe and sample must be mixed under conditions that will permit nucleic acid hybridization. This involves contacting the probe and sample in the presence of an inorganic or organic salt under the proper concentration and temperature conditions. The probe and sample nucleic acids must be in contact for a long enough time that any possible hybridization between the probe and sample nucleic acid may occur. The concentration of probe or target in the mixture will determine the time necessary for hybridization to occur. The higher the probe or target concentration, the shorter the hybridization incubation time needed. Optionally, a chaotropic agent may be added (e.g., guanidinium chloride, guanidinium thiocyanate, sodium thiocyanate, lithium tetrachloroacetate, sodium perchlorate, rubidium tetrachloroacetate, potassium iodide, cesium trifluoroacetate). If desired, one can add formamide to the hybridization mixture, typically 30-50% (v/v).

Various hybridization solutions can be employed. Typically, these comprise from about 20 to 60% volume, preferably 30%, of a polar organic solvent. A common hybridization solution employs about 30-50% v/v formamide, about 0.15 to 1 M sodium chloride, about 0.05 to 0.1 M buffers (e.g., sodium citrate, Tris-HCl, PIPES or HEPES (pH range about 6-9)), about 0.05 to 0.2% detergent (e.g., sodium dodecylsulfate), or between 0.5-20 mM EDTA, FICOLL (Pharmacia Inc.) (about 300-500 kdal), polyvinylpyrrolidone (about 250-500 kdal), and serum albumin. Also included in the typical hybridization solution will be unlabeled carrier nucleic acids from about 0.1 to 5 mg/mL, fragmented nucleic DNA (e.g., calf thymus or salmon sperm DNA, or yeast RNA), and optionally from about 0.5 to 2% wt/vol glycine. Other additives may also be included, such as volume exclusion agents that include a variety of polar water-soluble or swellable agents (e.g., polyethylene glycol), anionic polymers (e.g., polyacrylate or polymethylacrylate) and anionic saccharidic polymers (e.g., dextran sulfate).

Nucleic acid hybridization is adaptable to a variety of assay formats. One of the most suitable is the sandwich assay format. The sandwich assay is particularly adaptable to hybridization under non-denaturing conditions. A primary component of a sandwich-type assay is a solid support. The solid support has adsorbed to it or covalently coupled to it immobilized nucleic acid probe that is unlabeled and complementary to one portion of the sequence.

In additional embodiments, any of the Δ9 elongase nucleic acid fragments described herein (or any homologs identified thereof) may be used to isolate genes encoding homologous proteins from the same or other bacterial, algal, fungal, euglenoid or plant species. Isolation of homologous genes using sequence-dependent protocols is well known in the art. Examples of sequence-dependent protocols include, but are not limited to: 1) methods of nucleic acid hybridization; 2) methods of DNA and RNA amplification, as exemplified by various uses of nucleic acid amplification technologies [e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Mullis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202; ligase chain reaction (LCR), Tabor, S. et al., Proc. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:1074 (1985); or strand displacement amplification (SDA), Walker, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89:392 (1992)]; and 3) methods of library construction and screening by complementation.

For example, genes encoding similar proteins or polypeptides to the Δ9 elongases described herein could be isolated directly by using all or a portion of the instant nucleic acid fragments as DNA hybridization probes to screen libraries from e.g., any desired yeast or fungus using methodology well known to those skilled in the art (wherein those organisms producing EDA and/or ETrA would be preferred). Specific oligonucleotide probes based upon the instant nucleic acid sequences can be designed and synthesized by methods known in the art (Maniatis, supra). Moreover, the entire sequences can be used directly to synthesize DNA probes by methods known to the skilled artisan (e.g., random primers DNA labeling, nick translation or end-labeling techniques), or RNA probes using available in vitro transcription systems. In addition, specific primers can be designed and used to amplify a part of (or full-length of) the instant sequences. The resulting amplification products can be labeled directly during amplification reactions or labeled after amplification reactions, and used as probes to isolate full-length DNA fragments under conditions of appropriate stringency.

Typically, in PCR-type amplification techniques, the primers have different sequences and are not complementary to each other. Depending on the desired test conditions, the sequences of the primers should be designed to provide for both efficient and faithful replication of the target nucleic acid. Methods of PCR primer design are common and well known in the art (Thein and Wallace, “The use of oligonucleotide as specific hybridization probes in the Diagnosis of Genetic Disorders”, in Human Genetic Diseases: A Practical Approach, K. E. Davis Ed., (1986) pp 33-50, IRL: Herndon, Va.; and Rychlik, W., In Methods in Molecular Biology, White, B. A. Ed., (1993) Vol. 15, pp 31-39, PCR Protocols: Current Methods and Applications. Humania: Totowa, N.J.).

Generally two short segments of the instant sequences may be used in PCR protocols to amplify longer nucleic acid fragments encoding homologous genes from DNA or RNA. PCR may also be performed on a library of cloned nucleic acid fragments wherein the sequence of one primer is derived from the instant nucleic acid fragments, and the sequence of the other primer takes advantage of the presence of the polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor encoding eukaryotic genes.

Alternatively, the second primer sequence may be based upon sequences derived from the cloning vector. For example, the skilled artisan can follow the RACE protocol (Frohman et al., PNAS USA, 85:8998 (1988)) to generate cDNAs by using PCR to amplify copies of the region between a single point in the transcript and the 3′ or 5′ end. Primers oriented in the 3′ and 5′ directions can be designed from the instant sequences. Using commercially available 3′ RACE or 5′ RACE systems (Gibco/BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.), specific 3′ or 5′ cDNA fragments can be isolated (Ohara et al., PNAS USA, 86:5673 (1989); Loh et al., Science, 243:217 (1989)).

In other embodiments, any of the Δ9 elongase nucleic acid fragments described herein (or any homologs identified thereof) may be used for creation of new and improved fatty acid elongases. As is well known in the art, in vitro mutagenesis and selection, chemical mutagenesis, “gene shuffling” methods or other means can be employed to obtain mutations of naturally occurring elongase genes (wherein such mutations may include deletions, insertions and point mutations, or combinations thereof). This would permit production of a polypeptide having elongase activity, respectively, in vivo with more desirable physical and kinetic parameters for function in the host cell such as a longer half-life or a higher rate of production of a desired PUFA. Or, if desired, the regions of a polypeptide of interest (i.e., a Δ9 elongase) important for enzymatic activity can be determined through routine mutagenesis, expression of the resulting mutant polypeptides and determination of their activities. An overview of these techniques is described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757. All such mutant proteins and nucleotide sequences encoding them that are derived from EgD9e, EgD9eS, E389D9e and E389D9eS are within the scope of the present invention.

Alternatively, improved fatty acids may be synthesized by domain swapping, wherein a functional domain from any of the Δ9 elongase nucleic acid fragments described herein are exchanged with a functional domain in an alternate elongase gene to thereby result in a novel protein.

Methods for Production of Various ω-3 and/or ω-6 Fatty Acids

It is expected that introduction of chimeric genes encoding the Δ9 elongases described herein (i.e., EgD9e, EgD9eS, E389D9e, E389D9eS or other mutant enzymes, codon-optimized enzymes or homologs thereof), under the control of the appropriate promoters will result in increased production of EDA and/or ETrA in the transformed host organism, respectively. As such, the present invention encompasses a method for the direct production of PUFAs comprising exposing a fatty acid substrate (i.e., LA and/or ALA) to the elongase enzymes described herein (e.g., EgD9e, EgD9eS, E389D9e, E389D9eS), such that the substrate is converted to the desired fatty acid product (i.e., EDA and/or ETrA).

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the production of EDA in a host cell (e.g., oleaginous yeast, soybean), wherein the host cell comprises:

-   -   a) an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide         having Δ9 elongase activity, selected from the group consisting         of:         -   (1) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a             nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9             elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least 70%             amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method of             alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as set             forth in SEQ ID NO:2 (EgD9e) or SEQ ID NO:5 (E389D9e);         -   (2) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a             nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9             elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence             hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID             NO:1 (EgD9e), SEQ ID NO:3 (EgD9eS), SEQ ID NO:4 (E389D9e) or             SEQ ID NO:6 (E389D9eS) under the following stringent             hybridization conditions: 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and             washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS;             and     -   b) a source of LA;         wherein the host cell is grown under conditions such that the Δ9         elongase is expressed and the LA is converted to EDA, and         wherein the EDA is optionally recovered.

In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the Δ9 elongase may be used for the conversion of ALA to ETrA. Accordingly the invention provides a method for the production of ETrA, wherein the host cell comprises:

-   -   a) an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide         having Δ9 elongase activity, selected from the group consisting         of:         -   (1) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a             nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9             elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least 70%             amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method of             alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as set             forth in SEQ ID NO:2 (EgD9e) or SEQ ID NO:5 (E389D9e);         -   (2) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a             nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9             elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence             hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID             NO:1 (EgD9e), SEQ ID NO:3 (EgD9eS), SEQ ID NO:4 (E389D9e) or             SEQ ID NO:6 (E389D9eS) under the following stringent             hybridization conditions: 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and             washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS;             and     -   b) a source of ALA;         wherein the host cell is grown under conditions such that the Δ9         elongase is expressed and the ALA is converted to ETrA, and         wherein the ETrA is optionally recovered.

Alternatively, each Δ9 elongase gene and its corresponding enzyme product described herein can be used indirectly for the production of various ω-6 and ω-3 PUFAs, including e.g., DGLA, ETA, ARA, EPA, DPA and/or DHA (FIG. 1; see PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757). Indirect production of ω-3/ω-6 PUFAs occurs wherein the fatty acid substrate is converted indirectly into the desired fatty acid product, via means of an intermediate step(s) or pathway intermediate(s). Thus, it is contemplated that the Δ9 elongases described herein (e.g., EgD9e, EgD9eS, E389D9e, E389D9eS or other mutant enzymes, codon-optimized enzymes or homologs thereof) may be expressed in conjunction with additional genes encoding enzymes of the PUFA biosynthetic pathway (e.g., ω6 desaturases, C_(18/20) elongases, ω17 desaturases, ω15 desaturases, Δ9 desaturases, Δ12 desaturases, C_(14/16) elongases, C_(16/18) elongases, ω5 desaturases, ω8 desaturases, ω4 desaturases, C_(20/22) elongases) to result in higher levels of production of longer-chain ω-3/ω-6 fatty acids (e.g., ARA, EPA, DPA and DHA).

In preferred embodiments, the Δ9 elongases of the present invention will minimally be expressed in conjunction with a ω8 desaturase (e.g., a ω8 desaturase as set forth in SEQ ID NO:61 [EgD8] or a codon-optimized ω8 desaturase as set forth in SEQ ID NO:69 [EgD8S]). However, the particular genes included within a particular expression cassette will depend on the host cell (and its PUFA profile and/or desaturase/elongase profile), the availability of substrate and the desired end product(s).

In alternative embodiments, it may be useful to disrupt a host organism's native Δ9 elongase, based on the complete sequences described herein, the complement of those complete sequences, substantial portions of those sequences, codon-optimized elongases derived therefrom and those sequences that are substantially homologous thereto.

Plant Expression Systems, Cassettes & Vectors, and Transformation

In one embodiment, this invention concerns a recombinant construct comprising any one of the Δ9 elongase polynucleotides of the invention operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence suitable for expression in a plant.

A promoter is a DNA sequence that directs the cellular machinery of a plant to produce RNA from the contiguous coding sequence downstream (3′) of the promoter. The promoter region influences the rate, developmental stage, and cell type in which the RNA transcript of the gene is made. The RNA transcript is processed to produce mRNA which serves as a template for translation of the RNA sequence into the amino acid sequence of the encoded polypeptide. The 5′ non-translated leader sequence is a region of the mRNA upstream of the protein coding region that may play a role in initiation and translation of the mRNA. The 3′ transcription termination/polyadenylation signal is a non-translated region downstream of the protein coding region that functions in the plant cell to cause termination of the RNA transcript and the addition of polyadenylate nucleotides to the 3′ end of the RNA.

The origin of the promoter chosen to drive expression of the Δ9 elongase coding sequence is not important as long as it has sufficient transcriptional activity to accomplish the invention by expressing translatable mRNA for the desired nucleic acid fragments in the desired host tissue at the right time. Either heterologous or non-heterologous (i.e., endogenous) promoters can be used to practice the invention. For example, suitable promoters include, but are not limited to: the α-prime subunit of β-conglycinin promoter, the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor 3 promoter, the annexin promoter, the Gly1 promoter, the beta subunit of beta-conglycinin promoter, the P34/Gly Bd m 30K promoter, the albumin promoter, the Leg A1 promoter and the Leg A2 promoter.

The annexin, or P34, promoter is described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/071178 (published Aug. 26, 2004). The level of activity of the annexin promoter is comparable to that of many known strong promoters, such as: (1) the CaMV ³⁵S promoter (Atanassova et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 37:275-285 (1998); Battraw and Hall, Plant Mol. Biol., 15:527-538 (1990); Holtorf et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 29:637-646 (1995); Jefferson et al., EMBO J., 6:3901-3907 (1987); Wilmink et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 28:949-955 (1995)); (2) the Arabidopsis oleosin promoters (Plant et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 25:193-205 (1994); Li, Texas A&M University Ph.D. dissertation, pp. 107-128 (1997)); (3) the Arabidopsis ubiquitin extension protein promoters (Callis et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265(21):12486-93 (1990)); (4) a tomato ubiquitin gene promoter (Rollfinke et al., Gene, 211(2):267-76 (1998)); (5) a soybean heat shock protein promoter (Schoffl et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 217(2-3):246-53 (1989)); and, (6) a maize H3 histone gene promoter (Atanassova et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 37(2):275-85 (1989)).

Another useful feature of the annexin promoter is its expression profile in developing seeds. The annexin promoter is most active in developing seeds at early stages (before 10 days after pollination) and is largely quiescent in later stages. The expression profile of the annexin promoter is different from that of many seed-specific promoters, e.g., seed storage protein promoters, which often provide highest activity in later stages of development (Chen et al., Dev. Genet., 10:112-122 (1989); Ellerstrom et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 32:1019-1027 (1996); Keddie et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 24:327-340 (1994); Plant et al., (supra); Li, (supra)). The annexin promoter has a more conventional expression profile but remains distinct from other known seed specific promoters. Thus, the annexin promoter will be a very attractive candidate when overexpression, or suppression, of a gene in embryos is desired at an early developing stage. For example, it may be desirable to overexpress a gene regulating early embryo development or a gene involved in the metabolism prior to seed maturation.

Following identification of an appropriate promoter suitable for expression of a specific Δ9 elongase coding sequence, the promoter is then operably linked in a sense orientation using conventional means well known to those skilled in the art.

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used herein are well known in the art and are described more fully in Sambrook, J. et al., In Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; 2^(nd) ed.; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989 (hereinafter “Sambrook et al., 1989”) or Ausubel, F. M., Brent, R., Kingston, R. E., Moore, D. D., Seidman, J. G., Smith, J. A. and Struhl, K., Eds.; In Current Protocols in Molecular Biology; John Wiley and Sons: New York, 1990 (hereinafter “Ausubel et al., 1990”).

Once the recombinant construct has been made, it may then be introduced into a plant cell of choice by methods well known to those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., transfection, transformation and electroporation). Oilseed plant cells are the preferred plant cells. The transformed plant cell is then cultured and regenerated under suitable conditions permitting expression of the long-chain PUFA which is then optionally recovered and purified.

The recombinant constructs of the invention may be introduced into one plant cell; or, alternatively, each construct may be introduced into separate plant cells.

Expression in a plant cell may be accomplished in a transient or stable fashion as is described above.

The desired long-chain PUFAs can be expressed in seed. Also within the scope of this invention are seeds or plant parts obtained from such transformed plants.

Plant parts include differentiated and undifferentiated tissues including, but not limited to the following: roots, stems, shoots, leaves, pollen, seeds, tumor tissue and various forms of cells and culture (e.g., single cells, protoplasts, embryos and callus tissue). The plant tissue may be in plant or in a plant organ, tissue or cell culture.

The term “plant organ” refers to plant tissue or a group of tissues that constitute a morphologically and functionally distinct part of a plant. The term “genome” refers to the following: 1) the entire complement of genetic material (genes and non-coding sequences) that is present in each cell of an organism, or virus or organelle; and/or 2) a complete set of chromosomes inherited as a (haploid) unit from one parent.

Thus, this invention also concerns a method for transforming a cell, comprising transforming a cell with a recombinant construct of the invention and selecting those cells transformed with said recombinant construct.

Also of interest is a method for producing a transformed plant comprising transforming a plant cell with the Δ9 elongase polynucleotides of the instant invention and regenerating a plant from the transformed plant cell.

Methods for transforming dicots (primarily by use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens) and obtaining transgenic plants have been published, among others, for: cotton (U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,863; U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,135); soybean (U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,834; U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,011); Brassica (U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,174); peanut (Cheng et al., Plant Cell Rep., 15:653-657 (1996); McKently et al., Plant Cell Rep., 14:699-703 (1995)); papaya (Ling, K. et al., Bio/technology, 9:752-758 (1991)); and pea (Grant et al., Plant Cell Rep., 15:254-258 (1995)). For a review of other commonly used methods of plant transformation see Newell, C. A. (Mol. Biotechnol., 16:53-65 (2000)). One of these methods of transformation uses Agrobacterium rhizogenes (Tepfler, M. and Casse-Delbart, F., Microbiol. Sci., 4:24-28 (1987)). Transformation of soybeans using direct delivery of DNA has been published using PEG fusion (PCT Publication No. WO 92/17598), electroporation (Chowrira, G. M. et al., Mol. Biotechnol., 3:17-23 (1995); Christou, P. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. Sci. USA, 84:3962-3966 (1987)), microinjection, or particle bombardment (McCabe, D. E. et al., Bio/Technology, 6:923 (1988); Christou et al., Plant Physiol., 87:671-674 (1988)).

There are a variety of methods for the regeneration of plants from plant tissue. The particular method of regeneration will depend on the starting plant tissue and the particular plant species to be regenerated. The regeneration, development and cultivation of plants from single plant protoplast transformants or from various transformed explants is well known in the art (Weissbach and Weissbach, In: Methods for Plant Molecular Biology, (Eds.), Academic: San Diego, Calif. (1988)). This regeneration and growth process typically includes the steps of selection of transformed cells and culturing those individualized cells through the usual stages of embryonic development through the rooted plantlet stage. Transgenic embryos and seeds are similarly regenerated. The resulting transgenic rooted shoots are thereafter planted in an appropriate plant growth medium such as soil. Preferably, the regenerated plants are self-pollinated to provide homozygous transgenic plants. Otherwise, pollen obtained from the regenerated plants is crossed to seed-grown plants of agronomically important lines. Conversely, pollen from plants of these important lines is used to pollinate regenerated plants. A transgenic plant of the present invention containing a desired polypeptide is cultivated using methods well known to one skilled in the art.

In addition to the above discussed procedures, practitioners are familiar with the standard resource materials which describe specific conditions and procedures for: the construction, manipulation and isolation of macromolecules (e.g., DNA molecules, plasmids, etc.); the generation of recombinant DNA fragments and recombinant expression constructs; and, the screening and isolating of clones. See, for example: Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor: NY (1989); Maliga et al., Methods in Plant Molecular Biology, Cold Spring Harbor: NY (1995); Birren et al., Genome Analysis: Detecting Genes, Vol. 1, Cold Spring Harbor: NY (1998); Birren et al., Genome Analysis: Analyzing DNA, Vol. 2, Cold Spring Harbor: NY (1998); Plant Molecular Biology: A Laboratory Manual, eds. Clark, Springer: NY (1997).

Examples of oilseed plants include, but are not limited to: soybean, Brassica species, sunflower, maize, cotton, flax and safflower.

Examples of PUFAs having at least twenty carbon atoms and five or more carbon-carbon double bonds include, but are not limited to, ω-3 fatty acids such as EPA, DPA and DHA. Seeds obtained from such plants are also within the scope of this invention, as well as oil obtained from such seeds.

Thus, in one embodiment this invention concerns an oilseed plant comprising:

-   -   a) a first recombinant DNA construct comprising an isolated         polynucleotide encoding a Δ9 elongase polypeptide, operably         linked to at least one regulatory sequence; and,     -   b) at least one additional recombinant DNA construct comprising         an isolated polynucleotide, operably linked to at least one         regulatory sequence, encoding a polypeptide selected from the         group consisting of: a Δ4 desaturase, a Δ5 desaturase, a Δ6         desaturase, a Δ8 desaturase, a Δ9 desaturase, a Δ12 desaturase,         a Δ15 desaturase, a Δ17 desaturase, a C_(14/16) elongase, a         C_(16/18) elongase, a C_(18/20) elongase and a C_(20/22)         elongase.

Such additional desaturases are discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,183, No. 5,968,809, No. 6,136,574, No. 5,972,664, No. 6,051,754, No. 6,410,288 and PCT Publications No. WO 98/46763, No. WO 98/46764, No. WO 00/12720 and No. WO 00/40705.

The choice of combination of cassettes used depends in part on the PUFA profile and/or desaturase/elongase profile of the oilseed plant cells to be transformed and the long-chain PUFA(s) which is to be expressed.

In another aspect, this invention concerns a method for making long-chain PUFAs in a plant cell comprising:

-   -   (a) transforming a cell with a recombinant construct of the         invention; and,     -   (b) selecting those transformed cells that make long-chain         PUFAs.

In still another aspect, this invention concerns a method for producing at least one PUFA in a soybean cell comprising:

-   -   (a) transforming a soybean cell with a first recombinant DNA         construct comprising:         -   (i) an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Δ9 elongase             polypeptide, operably linked to at least one regulatory             sequence; and,         -   (ii) at least one additional recombinant DNA construct             comprising an isolated polynucleotide, operably linked to at             least one regulatory sequence, encoding a polypeptide             selected from the group consisting of: a ω4 desaturase, a ω5             desaturase, a ω6 desaturase, a ω8 desaturase, a Δ9             desaturase, a Δ12 desaturase, a ω15 desaturase, a ω17             desaturase, a C_(14/16) elongase, a C_(16/18) elongase, a             C_(18/20) elongase and a C_(20/22) elongase;     -   (b) regenerating a soybean plant from the transformed cell of         step (a); and,     -   (c) selecting those seeds obtained from the plants of step (b)         having an altered level of PUFAs when compared to the level in         seeds obtained from a nontransformed soybean plant.         In particularly preferred embodiments, the at least one         additional recombinant DNA construct encodes a polypeptide         having ω8 desaturase activity, e.g., the Δ8 desaturase isolated         and/or derived from Euglena gracilis and set forth in SEQ ID         NOs:61 and 69.

Microbial Expression Systems, Cassettes & Vectors, and Transformation

The Δ9 elongase genes and gene products described herein (i.e., EgD9e, EgD9eS, E389D9e, E389D9eS, or other mutant enzymes, codon-optimized enzymes or homologs thereof) may also be produced in heterologous microbial host cells, particularly in the cells of oleaginous yeasts (e.g., Yarrowia lipolytica). Expression in recombinant microbial hosts may be useful for the production of various PUFA pathway intermediates, or for the modulation of PUFA pathways already existing in the host for the synthesis of new products heretofore not possible using the host.

Microbial expression systems and expression vectors containing regulatory sequences that direct high level expression of foreign proteins are well known to those skilled in the art. Any of these could be used to construct chimeric genes for production of any of the gene products of the instant sequences. These chimeric genes could then be introduced into appropriate microorganisms via transformation to provide high-level expression of the encoded enzymes.

Vectors or DNA cassettes useful for the transformation of suitable microbial host cells are well known in the art. The specific choice of sequences present in the construct is dependent upon the desired expression products (supra), the nature of the host cell and the proposed means of separating transformed cells versus non-transformed cells. Typically, however, the vector or cassette contains sequences directing transcription and translation of the relevant gene(s), a selectable marker and sequences allowing autonomous replication or chromosomal integration. Suitable vectors comprise a region 5′ of the gene that controls transcriptional initiation (e.g., a promoter) and a region 3′ of the DNA fragment that controls transcriptional termination (i.e., a terminator). It is most preferred when both control regions are derived from genes from the transformed microbial host cell, although it is to be understood that such control regions need not be derived from the genes native to the specific species chosen as a production host.

Initiation control regions or promoters which are useful to drive expression of the instant Δ9 elongase ORFs in the desired microbial host cell are numerous and familiar to those skilled in the art. Virtually any promoter capable of directing expression of these genes in the selected host cell is suitable for the present invention. Expression in a microbial host cell can be accomplished in a transient or stable fashion. Transient expression can be accomplished by inducing the activity of a regulatable promoter operably linked to the gene of interest. Stable expression can be achieved by the use of a constitutive promoter operably linked to the gene of interest. As an example, when the host cell is yeast, transcriptional and translational regions functional in yeast cells are provided, particularly from the host species (e.g., see PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757 [U.S. Publication 2005-0136519-A1] and PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870 [U.S. Publication 2006-0115881-A1] for preferred transcriptional initiation regulatory regions for use in Yarrowia lipolytica). Any one of a number of regulatory sequences can be used, depending upon whether constitutive or induced transcription is desired, the efficiency of the promoter in expressing the ORF of interest, the ease of construction and the like.

Nucleotide sequences surrounding the translational initiation codon ‘ATG’ have been found to affect expression in yeast cells. If the desired polypeptide is poorly expressed in yeast, the nucleotide sequences of exogenous genes can be modified to include an efficient yeast translation initiation sequence to obtain optimal gene expression. For expression in yeast, this can be done by site-directed mutagenesis of an inefficiently expressed gene by fusing it in-frame to an endogenous yeast gene, preferably a highly expressed gene. Alternatively, one can determine the consensus translation initiation sequence in the host and engineer this sequence into heterologous genes for their optimal expression in the host of interest.

The termination region can be derived from the 3′ region of the gene from which the initiation region was obtained or from a different gene. A large number of termination regions are known and function satisfactorily in a variety of hosts (when utilized both in the same and different genera and species from where they were derived). The termination region usually is selected more as a matter of convenience rather than because of any particular property. Preferably, when the microbial host is a yeast cell, the termination region is derived from a yeast gene (particularly Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Candida, Yarrowia or Kluyveromyces). The 3′-regions of mammalian genes encoding γ-interferon and α-2 interferon are also known to function in yeast. Termination control regions may also be derived from various genes native to the preferred hosts. Optionally, a termination site may be unnecessary; however, it is most preferred if included. Although not intended to be limiting, termination regions useful in the disclosure herein include: ˜100 by of the 3′ region of the Yarrowia lipolytica extracellular protease (XPR; GenBank Accession No. M17741); the acyl-coA oxidase (Aco3: GenBank Accession No. AJ001301 and No. CAA04661; Pox3: GenBank Accession No. XP_(—)503244) terminators; the Pex20 (GenBank Accession No. AF054613) terminator; the Pex16 (GenBank Accession No. U75433) terminator; the Lip1 (GenBank Accession No. Z50020) terminator; the Lip2 (GenBank Accession No. AJ012632) terminator; and the 3-oxoacyl-coA thiolase (OCT; GenBank Accession No. X69988) terminator.

As one of skill in the art is aware, merely inserting a gene into a cloning vector does not ensure that it will be successfully expressed at the level needed. In response to the need for a high expression rate, many specialized expression vectors have been created by manipulating a number of different genetic elements that control aspects of transcription, translation, protein stability, oxygen limitation and secretion from the microbial host cell. More specifically, some of the molecular features that have been manipulated to control gene expression include: 1) the nature of the relevant transcriptional promoter and terminator sequences; 2) the number of copies of the cloned gene and whether the gene is plasmid-borne or integrated into the genome of the host cell; 3) the final cellular location of the synthesized foreign protein; 4) the efficiency of translation and correct folding of the protein in the host organism; 5) the intrinsic stability of the mRNA and protein of the cloned gene within the host cell; and 6) the codon usage within the cloned gene, such that its frequency approaches the frequency of preferred codon usage of the host cell. Each of these types of modifications are encompassed in the present invention, as means to further optimize expression of the Δ9 elongases described herein.

Once the DNA encoding a polypeptide suitable for expression in an appropriate microbial host cell (e.g., oleaginous yeast) has been obtained (e.g., a chimeric gene comprising a promoter, ORF and terminator), it is placed in a plasmid vector capable of autonomous replication in a host cell, or it is directly integrated into the genome of the host cell. Integration of expression cassettes can occur randomly within the host genome or can be targeted through the use of constructs containing regions of homology with the host genome sufficient to target recombination within the host locus. Where constructs are targeted to an endogenous locus, all or some of the transcriptional and translational regulatory regions can be provided by the endogenous locus.

In the present invention, the preferred method of expressing genes in Yarrowia lipolytica is by integration of linear DNA into the genome of the host; and, integration into multiple locations within the genome can be particularly useful when high level expression of genes are desired. Toward this end, it is desirable to identify a sequence within the genome that is present in multiple copies.

Schmid-Berger et al. (J. Bact., 176(9):2477-2482 (1994)) discovered the first retrotransposon-like element Ylt1 in Yarrowia lipolytica. This retrotransposon is characterized by the presence of long terminal repeats (LTRs; each approximately 700 by in length) called zeta regions. Ylt1 and solo zeta elements were present in a dispersed manner within the genome in at least 35 copies/genome and 50-60 copies/genome, respectively; both elements were determined to function as sites of homologous recombination. Further, work by Juretzek et al. (Yeast, 18:97-113 (2001)) demonstrated that gene expression could be dramatically increased by targeting plasmids into the repetitive regions of the yeast genome (using linear DNA with LTR zeta regions at both ends), as compared to the expression obtained using low-copy plasmid transformants. Thus, zeta-directed integration can be ideal as a means to ensure multiple integration of plasmid DNA into Yarrowia lipolytica, thereby permitting high-level gene expression. Unfortunately, however, not all strains of Yarrowia lipolytica possess zeta regions (e.g., the strain identified as ATCC Accession No. #20362). When the strain lacks such regions, it is also possible to integrate plasmid DNA comprising expression cassettes into alternate loci to reach the desired copy number for the expression cassette. For example, preferred alternate loci include: the Ura3 locus (GenBank Accession No. AJ306421), the Leu2 gene locus (GenBank Accession No. AF260230), the Lys5 gene (GenBank Accession No. M34929), the Aco2 gene locus (Gen Bank Accession No. AJ001300), the Pox3 gene locus (Pox3: GenBank Accession No. XP_(—)503244; or, Aco3: GenBank Accession No. AJ001301), the Δ12 desaturase gene locus (PCT Publication No. WO 2004/104167), the Lip1 gene locus (Gen Bank Accession No. Z50020) and/or the Lip2 gene locus (GenBank Accession No. AJ012632).

Advantageously, the Ura3 gene can be used repeatedly in combination with 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-fluorouracil-6-carboxylic acid monohydrate; “5-FOA”) selection (infra), to readily permit genetic modifications to be integrated into the Yarrowia genome in a facile manner.

Where two or more genes are expressed from separate replicating vectors, it is desirable that each vector has a different means of selection and should lack homology to the other construct(s) to maintain stable expression and prevent reassortment of elements among constructs. Judicious choice of regulatory regions, selection means and method of propagation of the introduced construct(s) can be experimentally determined so that all introduced genes are expressed at the necessary levels to provide for synthesis of the desired products.

Constructs comprising the gene of interest may be introduced into a microbial host cell by any standard technique. These techniques include transformation (e.g., lithium acetate transformation [Methods in Enzymology, 194:186-187 (1991)]), protoplast fusion, bolistic impact, electroporation, microinjection, or any other method that introduces the gene of interest into the host cell. More specific teachings applicable for oleaginous yeasts (i.e., Yarrowia lipolytica) include U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,741 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,764 and Chen, D. C. et al. (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 48(2):232-235 (1997)).

For convenience, a host cell that has been manipulated by any method to take up a DNA sequence (e.g., an expression cassette) will be referred to as “transformed” or “recombinant” herein. The transformed host will have at least one copy of the expression construct and may have two or more, depending upon whether the gene is integrated into the genome, amplified or is present on an extrachromosomal element having multiple copy numbers.

The transformed host cell can be identified by various selection techniques, as described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757 [U.S. Publication 2005-0136519-A1] and PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870 [U.S. Publication 2006-0115881-A1]. Preferred selection methods for use herein are resistance to kanamycin, hygromycin and the amino glycoside G418, as well as ability to grow on media lacking uracil, leucine, lysine, tryptophan or histidine. In alternate embodiments, 5-FOA is used for selection of yeast Ura− mutants. The compound is toxic to yeast cells that possess a functioning URA3 gene encoding orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMP decarboxylase); thus, based on this toxicity, 5-FOA is especially useful for the selection and identification of Ura⁻ mutant yeast strains (Bartel, P. L. and Fields, S., Yeast 2-Hybrid System, Oxford University: New York, v. 7, pp 109-147, 1997). More specifically, one can first knockout the native Ura3 gene to produce a strain having a Ura− phenotype, wherein selection occurs based on 5-FOA resistance. Then, a cluster of multiple chimeric genes and a new Ura3 gene can be integrated into a different locus of the Yarrowia genome to thereby produce a new strain having a Ura+ phenotype. Subsequent integration produces a new Ura3-strain (again identified using 5-FOA selection), when the introduced Ura3 gene is knocked out. Thus, the Ura3 gene (in combination with 5-FOA selection) can be used as a selection marker in multiple rounds of transformation.

Following transformation, substrates suitable for the instant Δ9 elongases (and, optionally other PUFA enzymes that are co-expressed within the host cell) may be produced by the host either naturally or transgenically, or they may be provided exogenously.

Microbial host cells for expression of the instant genes and nucleic acid fragments may include hosts that grow on a variety of feedstocks, including simple or complex carbohydrates, fatty acids, organic acids, oils and alcohols, and/or hydrocarbons over a wide range of temperature and pH values. The genes described in the instant invention have been isolated for expression in an oleaginous yeast (and in particular Yarrowia lipolytica); however, it is contemplated that because transcription, translation and the protein biosynthetic apparatus are highly conserved, any bacteria, yeast, algae and/or fungus will be a suitable microbial host for expression of the present nucleic acid fragments.

Preferred microbial hosts, however, are oleaginous yeasts. These organisms are naturally capable of oil synthesis and accumulation, wherein the oil can comprise greater than about 25% of the cellular dry weight, more preferably greater than about 30% of the cellular dry weight, and most preferably greater than about 40% of the cellular dry weight. Genera typically identified as oleaginous yeast include, but are not limited to: Yarrowia, Candida, Rhodotorula, Rhodosporidium, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon and Lipomyces. More specifically, illustrative oil-synthesizing yeasts include: Rhodosporidium toruloides, Lipomyces starkeyii, L. lipoferus, Candida revkaufi, C. pulcherrima, C. tropicalis, C. utilis, Trichosporon pullans, T. cutaneum, Rhodotorula glutinus, R. graminis, and Yarrowia lipolytica (formerly classified as Candida lipolytica).

Most preferred is the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica; and, in a further embodiment, most preferred are the Y. lipolytica strains designated as ATCC #20362, ATCC #8862, ATCC #18944, ATCC #76982 and/or LGAM S(7)1 (Papanikolaou S., and Aggelis G., Bioresour. Technol., 82(1):43-9 (2002)).

Historically, various strains of Y. lipolytica have been used for the manufacture and production of: isocitrate lyase; lipases; polyhydroxyalkanoates; citric acid; erythritol; 2-oxoglutaric acid; γ-decalactone; γ-dodecalatone; and pyruvic acid. Specific teachings applicable for engineering ARA, EPA and DHA production in Y. lipolytica are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/264,784 (PCT Publication Ser. No. WO 2006/055322), Ser. No. 11/265,761 (PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870) and Ser. No. 11/264,737 (PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052871), respectively.

Other preferred microbial hosts include oleaginous bacteria, algae and other fungi; and, within this broad group of microbial hosts, of particular interest are microorganisms that synthesize ω-3/ω-6 fatty acids (or those that can be genetically engineered for this purpose [e.g., other yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae]). Thus, for example, transformation of Mortierella alpina (which is commercially used for production of ARA) with any of the present Δ9 elongase genes under the control of inducible or regulated promoters could yield a transformant organism capable of synthesizing increased quantities of EDA; this could be converted to increased quantities of DGLA if a ω8 desaturase gene was co-expressed. The method of transformation of M. alpina is described by Mackenzie et al. (Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 66:4655 (2000)). Similarly, methods for transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,772.

Based on the teachings described above, in one embodiment this invention is drawn to a method of producing either EDA or ETrA, respectively, comprising:

-   -   a) providing an oleaginous yeast comprising:         -   (i) a first recombinant DNA construct comprising an isolated             polynucleotide encoding a Δ9 elongase polypeptide, operably             linked to at least one regulatory sequence; and,         -   (ii) a source of elongase substrate consisting of either LA             or ALA, respectively; and,     -   b) growing the yeast of step (a) in the presence of a suitable         fermentable carbon source wherein the gene encoding a Δ9         elongase polypeptide is expressed and LA is converted to EDA or         ALA is converted to ETrA, respectively; and,     -   c) optionally recovering the EDA or ETrA, respectively, of step         (b).         Substrate feeding may be required.

In some preferred embodiments, the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding a Δ9 elongase is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:4. In alternate preferred embodiments, the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding a Δ9 elongase polypeptide is set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 (wherein at least 106 codons have been optimized for expression in Yarrowia relative to SEQ ID NO:1). And, in other preferred embodiments, the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding a Δ9 elongase polypeptide is set forth in SEQ ID NO:6 (wherein at least 113 codons have been optimized for expression in Yarrowia relative to SEQ ID NO:4).

Of course, since naturally produced PUFAs in oleaginous yeast are limited to 18:2 fatty acids (i.e., LA), and less commonly, 18:3 fatty acids (i.e., ALA), in more preferred embodiments of the present invention the oleaginous yeast will be genetically engineered to express multiple enzymes necessary for long-chain PUFA biosynthesis (thereby enabling production of e.g., ARA, EPA, DPA and DHA), in addition to the Δ9 elongases described herein.

Specifically, in one embodiment this invention concerns an oleaginous yeast comprising:

-   -   a) a first recombinant DNA construct comprising an isolated         polynucleotide encoding a Δ9 elongase polypeptide, operably         linked to at least one regulatory sequence; and,     -   b) at least one additional recombinant DNA construct comprising         an isolated polynucleotide, operably linked to at least one         regulatory sequence, encoding a polypeptide selected from the         group consisting of: a ω4 desaturase, a ω5 desaturase, ω6         desaturase, a Δ9 desaturase, a Δ12 desaturase, a ω15 desaturase,         a ω17 desaturase, a ω8 desaturase, a C_(14/16) elongase, a         C_(16/18) elongase, a C_(18/20) elongase and a C_(20/22)         elongase.         In particularly preferred embodiments, the at least one         additional recombinant DNA construct encodes a polypeptide         having ω8 desaturase activity, e.g., the Δ8 desaturase isolated         and/or derived from Euglena gracilis and set forth in SEQ ID         NOs:61 and 69.

Metabolic Engineering of ω-3 and/or ω-6 Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Microbes

Methods for manipulating biochemical pathways are well known to those skilled in the art; and, it is expected that numerous manipulations will be possible to maximize ω-3 and/or ω-6 fatty acid biosynthesis in oleaginous yeasts, and particularly, in Yarrowia lipolytica. This may require metabolic engineering directly within the PUFA biosynthetic pathway or additional coordinated manipulation of various other metabolic pathways.

In the case of manipulations within the PUFA biosynthetic pathway, it may be desirable to increase the production of LA to enable increased production of ω-6 and/or ω-3 fatty acids. Introducing and/or amplifying genes encoding Δ9 desaturases and/or Δ12 desaturases may accomplish this. To maximize production of ω-6 unsaturated fatty acids, it is well known to one skilled in the art that production is favored in a host microorganism that is substantially free of ALA; thus, preferably, the host is selected or obtained by removing or inhibiting ω15 or ω-3 type desaturase activity that permits conversion of LA to ALA. The endogenous desaturase activity can be reduced or eliminated by, for example: (1) providing a cassette for transcription of antisense sequences to the Δ15 desaturase transcription product; (2) disrupting the Δ15 desaturase gene through insertion, substitution and/or deletion of all or part of the target gene; or (3) using a host cell which naturally has [or has been mutated to have] low or no ω15 desaturase activity. Inhibition of undesired desaturase pathways can also be accomplished through the use of specific desaturase inhibitors such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,630.

Alternatively, it may be desirable to maximize production of ω-3 fatty acids (and minimize synthesis of ω-6 fatty acids). In this example, one could utilize a host microorganism wherein the Δ12 desaturase activity that permits conversion of oleic acid to LA is removed or inhibited; subsequently, appropriate expression cassettes would be introduced into the host, along with appropriate substrates (e.g., ALA) for conversion to ω-3 fatty acid derivatives of ALA (e.g., STA, ETrA, ETA, EPA, DPA, DHA).

In alternate embodiments, biochemical pathways competing with the ω-3 and/or ω-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathways for energy or carbon, or native PUFA biosynthetic pathway enzymes that interfere with production of a particular PUFA end-product, may be eliminated by gene disruption or down-regulated by other means (e.g., antisense mRNA).

Detailed discussion of manipulations within the PUFA biosynthetic pathway as a means to increase ARA, EPA or DHA (and associated techniques thereof) are presented in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/055322 [U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0094092-A1], PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870 [U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0115881-A1] and PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052871 [U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006-0110806-A1], respectively, as are desirable manipulations in the TAG biosynthetic pathway and the TAG degradation pathway (and associated techniques thereof).

Within the context of the present invention, it may be useful to modulate the expression of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway by any one of the strategies described above. For example, the present invention provides methods whereby genes encoding key enzymes in the Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase biosynthetic pathway are introduced into oleaginous yeasts for the production of ω-3 and/or ω-6 fatty acids. It will be particularly useful to express the present Δ9 elongase genes in oleaginous yeasts that do not naturally possess ω-3 and/or ω-6 fatty acid biosynthetic pathways and coordinate the expression of these genes, to maximize production of preferred PUFA products using various means for metabolic engineering of the host organism.

Microbial Fermentation Processes for PUFA Production

The transformed microbial host cell is grown under conditions that optimize expression of chimeric desaturase and elongase genes and produce the greatest and the most economical yield of desired PUFAs. In general, media conditions that may be optimized include the type and amount of carbon source, the type and amount of nitrogen source, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, the oxygen level, growth temperature, pH, length of the biomass production phase, length of the oil accumulation phase and the time and method of cell harvest. Microorganisms of interest, such as oleaginous yeast (e.g., Yarrowia lipolytica) are generally grown in complex media (e.g., yeast extract-peptone-dextrose broth (YPD)) or a defined minimal media that lacks a component necessary for growth and thereby forces selection of the desired expression cassettes (e.g., Yeast Nitrogen Base (DIFCO Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.)).

Fermentation media in the present invention must contain a suitable carbon source. Suitable carbon sources may include, but are not limited to: monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose), disaccharides (e.g., lactose, sucrose), oligosaccharides, polysaccharides (e.g., starch, cellulose or mixtures thereof), sugar alcohols (e.g., glycerol) or mixtures from renewable feedstocks (e.g., cheese whey permeate, cornsteep liquor, sugar beet molasses, barley malt). Additionally, carbon sources may include alkanes, fatty acids, esters of fatty acids, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids and various commercial sources of fatty acids including vegetable oils (e.g., soybean oil) and animal fats. The carbon source may include one-carbon sources (e.g., carbon dioxide, methanol, formaldehyde, formate and carbon-containing amines) for which metabolic conversion into key biochemical intermediates has been demonstrated. Hence it is contemplated that the source of carbon utilized in the present invention may encompass a wide variety of carbon-containing sources and will only be limited by the choice of the host organism. Preferred carbon sources are sugars, glycerol, and/or fatty acids. Most preferred is glucose and/or fatty acids containing between 10-22 carbons.

Nitrogen may be supplied from an inorganic (e.g., (NH₄)₂SO₄) or organic (e.g., urea or glutamate) source. In addition to appropriate carbon and nitrogen sources, the fermentation media must also contain suitable minerals, salts, cofactors, buffers, vitamins and other components known to those skilled in the art suitable for the growth of the oleaginous host and promotion of the enzymatic pathways necessary for PUFA production. Particular attention is given to several metal ions (e.g., Mn⁺², Co⁺², Zn⁺², Mg⁺²) that promote synthesis of lipids and PUFAs (Nakahara, T. et al., Ind. Appl. Single Cell Oils, D. J. Kyle and R. Colin, eds. pp 61-97 (1992)).

Preferred growth media in the present invention are common commercially prepared media, such as Yeast Nitrogen Base (DIFCO Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.). Other defined or synthetic growth media may also be used and the appropriate medium for growth of the transformant host cells will be known by one skilled in the art of microbiology or fermentation science. A suitable pH range for the fermentation is typically between about pH 4.0 to pH 8.0, wherein pH 5.5 to pH 7.5 is preferred as the range for the initial growth conditions. The fermentation may be conducted under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, wherein microaerobic conditions are preferred.

Typically, accumulation of high levels of PUFAs in oleaginous yeast cells requires a two-stage process, since the metabolic state must be “balanced” between growth and synthesis/storage of fats. Thus, most preferably, a two-stage fermentation process is necessary for the production of PUFAs in oleaginous yeast (e.g., Yarrowia lipolytica). This approach is described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757, as are various suitable fermentation process designs (i.e., batch, fed-batch and continuous) and considerations during growth.

Purification and Processing of PUFA Oils

PUFAs may be found in the host microorganisms and plants as free fatty acids or in esterified forms such as acylglycerols, phospholipids, sulfolipids or glycolipids, and may be extracted from the host cells through a variety of means well-known in the art. One review of extraction techniques, quality analysis and acceptability standards for yeast lipids is that of Z. Jacobs (Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 12(5/6):463-491 (1992)). A brief review of downstream processing is also available by A. Singh and O. Ward (Adv. Appl. Microbiol., 45:271-312 (1997)).

In general, means for the purification of PUFAs may include extraction with organic solvents, sonication, supercritical fluid extraction (e.g., using carbon dioxide), saponification and physical means such as presses, or combinations thereof. One is referred to the teachings of PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101757 for additional details.

Methods of isolating seed oils are well known in the art (Young et al., Processing of Fats and Oils, In The Lipid Handbook, Gunstone et al., eds., Chapter 5, pp 253-257; Chapman & Hall: London (1994)). For example, soybean oil is produced using a series of steps involving the extraction and purification of an edible oil product from the oil-bearing seed. Soybean oils and soybean byproducts are produced using the generalized steps shown in the Table below.

TABLE 5 Generalized Steps for Soybean Oil and Byproduct Production Process Impurities Removed and/or Step Process By-Products Obtained #1 Soybean seed #2 Oil extraction Meal #3 Degumming Lecithin #4 Alkali or physical refining Gums, free fatty acids, pigments #5 Water washing Soap #6 Bleaching Color, soap, metal #7 (Hydrogenation) #8 (Winterization) Stearine #9 Deodorization Free fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols, volatiles #10 Oil products

More specifically, soybean seeds are cleaned, tempered, dehulled and flaked, thereby increasing the efficiency of oil extraction. Oil extraction is usually accomplished by solvent (e.g., hexane) extraction but can also be achieved by a combination of physical pressure and/or solvent extraction. The resulting oil is called crude oil. The crude oil may be degummed by hydrating phospholipids and other polar and neutral lipid complexes that facilitate their separation from the nonhydrating, triglyceride fraction (soybean oil). The resulting lecithin gums may be further processed to make commercially important lecithin products used in a variety of food and industrial products as emulsification and release (i.e., anti-sticking) agents. Degummed oil may be further refined for the removal of impurities (primarily free fatty acids, pigments and residual gums). Refining is accomplished by the addition of a caustic agent that reacts with free fatty acid to form soap and hydrates phosphatides and proteins in the crude oil. Water is used to wash out traces of soap formed during refining. The soapstock byproduct may be used directly in animal feeds or acidulated to recover the free fatty acids. Color is removed through adsorption with a bleaching earth that removes most of the chlorophyll and carotenoid compounds. The refined oil can be hydrogenated, thereby resulting in fats with various melting properties and textures. Winterization (fractionation) may be used to remove stearine from the hydrogenated oil through crystallization under carefully controlled cooling conditions. Deodorization (principally via steam distillation under vacuum) is the last step and is designed to remove compounds which impart odor or flavor to the oil. Other valuable byproducts such as tocopherols and sterols may be removed during the deodorization process. Deodorized distillate containing these byproducts may be sold for production of natural vitamin E and other high-value pharmaceutical products. Refined, bleached, (hydrogenated, fractionated) and deodorized oils and fats may be packaged and sold directly or further processed into more specialized products. A more detailed reference to soybean seed processing, soybean oil production and byproduct utilization can be found in Erickson, Practical Handbook of Soybean Processing and Utilization, The American Oil Chemists' Society and United Soybean Board (1995). Soybean oil is liquid at room temperature because it is relatively low in saturated fatty acids when compared with oils such as coconut, palm, palm kernel and cocoa butter.

Plant and microbial oils containing PUFAs that have been refined and/or purified can be hydrogenated, to thereby result in fats with various melting properties and textures. Many processed fats (including spreads, confectionery fats, hard butters, margarines, baking shortenings, etc.) require varying degrees of solidity at room temperature and can only be produced through alteration of the source oil's physical properties. This is most commonly achieved through catalytic hydrogenation.

Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction in which hydrogen is added to the unsaturated fatty acid double bonds with the aid of a catalyst such as nickel. For example, high oleic soybean oil contains unsaturated oleic, LA and linolenic fatty acids and each of these can be hydrogenated. Hydrogenation has two primary effects. First, the oxidative stability of the oil is increased as a result of the reduction of the unsaturated fatty acid content. Second, the physical properties of the oil are changed because the fatty acid modifications increase the melting point resulting in a semi-liquid or solid fat at room temperature.

There are many variables which affect the hydrogenation reaction, which, in turn, alter the composition of the final product. Operating conditions including pressure, temperature, catalyst type and concentration, agitation and reactor design are among the more important parameters that can be controlled. Selective hydrogenation conditions can be used to hydrogenate the more unsaturated fatty acids in preference to the less unsaturated ones. Very light or brush hydrogenation is often employed to increase stability of liquid oils. Further hydrogenation converts a liquid oil to a physically solid fat. The degree of hydrogenation depends on the desired performance and melting characteristics designed for the particular end product. Liquid shortenings (used in the manufacture of baking products, solid fats and shortenings used for commercial frying and roasting operations) and base stocks for margarine manufacture are among the myriad of possible oil and fat products achieved through hydrogenation. A more detailed description of hydrogenation and hydrogenated products can be found in Patterson, H. B. W., Hydrogenation of Fats and Oils: Theory and Practice. The American Oil Chemists' Society (1994).

Hydrogenated oils have become somewhat controversial due to the presence of trans-fatty acid isomers that result from the hydrogenation process. Ingestion of large amounts of trans-isomers has been linked with detrimental health effects including increased ratios of low density to high density lipoproteins in the blood plasma and increased risk of coronary heart disease.

PUFA-Containing Oils for Use in Foodstuffs

The market place currently supports a large variety of food and feed products, incorporating ω-3 and/or ω-6 fatty acids (particularly ARA, EPA and DHA). It is contemplated that the plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils of the invention comprising PUFAs will function in food and feed products to impart the health benefits of current formulations. Compared to other vegetable oils, the oils of the invention are believed to function similarly to other oils in food applications from a physical standpoint (for example, partially hydrogenated oils such as soybean oil are widely used as ingredients for soft spreads, margarine and shortenings for baking and frying).

Plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils containing ω-3 and/or ω-6 fatty acids described herein will be suitable for use in a variety of food and feed products including, but not limited to: food analogs, meat products, cereal products, snack foods, baked foods and dairy products. Additionally, the present plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils may be used in formulations to impart health benefit in medical foods including medical nutritionals, dietary supplements, infant formula as well as pharmaceutical products. One of skill in the art of food processing and food formulation will understand how the amount and composition of the plant and microbial oils may be added to the food or feed product. Such an amount will be referred to herein as an “effective” amount and will depend on the food or feed product, the diet that the product is intended to supplement or the medical condition that the medical food or medical nutritional is intended to correct or treat.

Food analogs can be made using processes well known to those skilled in the art. There can be mentioned meat analogs, cheese analogs, milk analogs and the like. Meat analogs made from soybeans contain soy protein or tofu and other ingredients mixed together to simulate various kinds of meats. These meat alternatives are sold as frozen, canned or dried foods. Usually, they can be used the same way as the foods they replace. Meat alternatives made from soybeans are excellent sources of protein, iron and B vitamins. Examples of meat analogs include, but are not limited to: ham analogs, sausage analogs, bacon analogs, and the like.

Food analogs can be classified as imitation or substitutes depending on their functional and compositional characteristics. For example, an imitation cheese need only resemble the cheese it is designed to replace. However, a product can generally be called a substitute cheese only if it is nutritionally equivalent to the cheese it is replacing and meets the minimum compositional requirements for that cheese. Thus, substitute cheese will often have higher protein levels than imitation cheeses and be fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Milk analogs or nondairy food products include, but are not limited to: imitation milk and nondairy frozen desserts (e.g., those made from soybeans and/or soy protein products).

Meat products encompass a broad variety of products. In the United States “meat” includes “red meats” produced from cattle, hogs and sheep. In addition to the red meats there are poultry items which include chickens, turkeys, geese, guineas, ducks and the fish and shellfish. There is a wide assortment of seasoned and processes meat products: fresh, cured and fried, and cured and cooked. Sausages and hot dogs are examples of processed meat products. Thus, the term “meat products” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, processed meat products.

A cereal food product is a food product derived from the processing of a cereal grain. A cereal grain includes any plant from the grass family that yields an edible grain (seed). The most popular grains are barley, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, rye, sorghum, triticale, wheat and wild rice. Examples of a cereal food product include, but are not limited to: whole grain, crushed grain, grits, flour, bran, germ, breakfast cereals, extruded foods, pastas, and the like.

A baked goods product comprises any of the cereal food products mentioned above and has been baked or processed in a manner comparable to baking, i.e., to dry or harden by subjecting to heat. Examples of a baked good product include, but are not limited to: bread, cakes, doughnuts, bars, pastas, bread crumbs, baked snacks, mini-biscuits, mini-crackers, mini-cookies and mini-pretzels. As was mentioned above, oils of the invention can be used as an ingredient.

A snack food product comprises any of the above or below described food products.

A fried food product comprises any of the above or below described food products that has been fried.

A health food product is any food product that imparts a health benefit. Many oilseed-derived food products may be considered as health foods.

A beverage can be in a liquid or in a dry powdered form.

For example, there can be mentioned non-carbonated drinks; fruit juices, fresh, frozen, canned or concentrate; flavored or plain milk drinks, etc. Adult and infant nutritional formulas are well known in the art and commercially available (e.g., Similac®, Ensure®, Jevity®, and Alimentum® from Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories).

Infant formulas are liquids or reconstituted powders fed to infants and young children. “Infant formula” is defined herein as an enteral nutritional product which can be substituted for human breast milk in feeding infants and typically is composed of a desired percentage of fat mixed with desired percentages of carbohydrates and proteins in an aqueous solution (e.g., see U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,285). Based on worldwide composition studies, as well as levels specified by expert groups, average human breast milk typically contains about 0.20% to 0.40% of total fatty acids (assuming about 50% of calories from fat); and, generally the ratio of DHA to ARA would range from about 1:1 to 1:2 (see, e.g., formulations of Enfamil LIPIL™ [Mead Johnson & Company] and Similac Advance™ [Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories]). Infant formulas have a special role to play in the diets of infants because they are often the only source of nutrients for infants; and, although breast-feeding is still the best nourishment for infants, infant formula is a close enough second that babies not only survive but thrive.

A dairy product is a product derived from milk. A milk analog or nondairy product is derived from a source other than milk, for example, soymilk as was discussed above. These products include, but are not limited to: whole milk, skim milk, fermented milk products such as yoghurt or sour milk, cream, butter, condensed milk, dehydrated milk, coffee whitener, coffee creamer, ice cream, cheese, etc.

Additional food products into which the PUFA-containing oils of the invention could be included are, for example: chewing gums, confections and frostings, gelatins and puddings, hard and soft candies, jams and jellies, white granulated sugar, sugar substitutes, sweet sauces, toppings and syrups, and dry-blended powder mixes.

PUFA-Containing Oils for Use in Health Food Products and Pharmaceuticals

A health food product is any food product that imparts a health benefit and includes functional foods, medical foods, medical nutritionals, infant formulas and dietary supplements. Additionally, plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils of the invention may be used in standard pharmaceutical compositions. For example, the oils of the invention could readily be incorporated into the any of the above mentioned food products, to thereby produce, e.g., a functional or medical food. More concentrated formulations comprising PUFAs include capsules, powders, tablets, softgels, gelcaps, liquid concentrates and emulsions which can be used as a dietary supplement in humans or animals other than humans.

PUFA-Containing Oils for Use in Animal Feeds

Animal feeds are generically defined herein as products intended for use as feed or for mixing in feed for animals other than humans. The plant/seed oils, altered seeds and microbial oils of the invention can be used as an ingredient in various animal feeds.

More specifically, although not limited herein, it is expected that the oils of the invention can be used within pet food products, ruminant and poultry food products and aquacultural food products. Pet food products are those products intended to be fed to a pet [e.g., a dog, cat, bird, reptile, rodent]; these products can include the cereal and health food products above, as well as meat and meat byproducts, soy protein products and grass and hay products (e.g., alfalfa, timothy, oat or brome grass, vegetables). Ruminant and poultry food products are those wherein the product is intended to be fed to e.g., turkeys, chickens, cattle and swine. As with the pet foods above, these products can include cereal and health food products, soy protein products, meat and meat byproducts, and grass and hay products as listed above. Aquacultural food products (or “aquafeeds”) are those products intended to be used in aquafarming, i.e., which concerns the propagation, cultivation or farming of aquatic organisms, animals and/or plants in fresh or marine waters.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further defined in the following Examples, in which parts and percentages are by weight and degrees are Celsius, unless otherwise stated. It should be understood that these Examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Thus, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

GENERAL METHODS

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used in the Examples are well known in the art and are described by:

1) Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989) (Maniatis); 2) T. J. Silhavy, M. L. Bennan, and L. W. Enquist, Experiments with Gene Fusions; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1984); and 3) Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, published by Greene Publishing Assoc. and Wiley-Interscience (1987).

Materials and methods suitable for the maintenance and growth of microbial cultures are well known in the art. Techniques suitable for use in the following examples may be found as set out in Manual of Methods for General Bacteriology (Phillipp Gerhardt, R. G. E. Murray, Ralph N. Costilow, Eugene W. Nester, Willis A. Wood, Noel R. Krieg and G. Briggs Phillips, Eds), American Society for Microbiology: Washington, D.C. (1994)); or by Thomas D. Brock in Biotechnology: A Textbook of Industrial Microbiology, 2^(nd) ed., Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, Mass. (1989). All reagents, restriction enzymes and materials used for the growth and maintenance of microbial cells were obtained from Aldrich Chemicals (Milwaukee, Wis.), DIFCO Laboratories (Detroit, Mich.), GIBCO/BRL (Gaithersburg, Md.), or Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, Mo.), unless otherwise specified. E. coli strains were typically grown at 37° C. on Luria Bertani (LB) plates.

General molecular cloning was performed according to standard methods (Sambrook et al., supra). DNA sequence was generated on an ABI Automatic sequencer using dye terminator technology (U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,860; EP 272,007) using a combination of vector and insert-specific primers. Sequence editing was performed in Sequencer (Gene Codes Corporation, Ann Arbor, Mich.). All sequences represent coverage at least two times in both directions. Comparisons of genetic sequences were accomplished using DNASTAR software (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.).

The meaning of abbreviations is as follows: “sec” means second(s), “min” means minute(s), “h” means hour(s), “d” means day(s), “μl” means microliter(s), “mL” means milliliter(s), “L” means liter(s), “μM” means micromolar, “mM” means millimolar, “M” means molar, “mmol” means millimole(s), “μmole” mean micromole(s), “g” means gram(s), “μg” means microgram(s), “ng” means nanogram(s), “U” means unit(s), “bp” means base pair(s) and “kB” means kilobase(s).

Transformation and Cultivation of Yarrowia lipolytica

Yarrowia lipolytica strains with ATCC Accession Nos. #20362, #76982 and #90812 were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (Rockville, Md.). Y. lipolytica strains were typically grown at 28° C. on YPD agar (1% yeast extract, 2% bactopeptone, 2% glucose, 2% agar).

Transformation of Y. lipolytica was performed according to the method of Chen, D. C. et al. (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 48(2):232-235 (1997)), unless otherwise noted. Briefly, Yarrowia was streaked onto a YPD plate and grown at 30° C. for approximately 18 h. Several large loopfuls of cells were scraped from the plate and resuspended in 1 mL of transformation buffer containing: 2.25 mL of 50% PEG, average MW 3350; 0.125 mL of 2 M Li acetate, pH 6.0; 0.125 mL of 2 M DTT; and 50 μg sheared salmon sperm DNA. Then, approximately 500 ng of linearized plasmid DNA was incubated in 100 μL of resuspended cells, and maintained at 39° C. for 1 h with vortex mixing at 15 min intervals. The cells were plated onto selection media plates and maintained at 30° C. for 2 to 3 days.

For selection of transformants, minimal medium (“MM”) was generally used; the composition of MM is as follows: 0.17% yeast nitrogen base (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.) without ammonium sulfate or amino acids, 2% glucose, 0.1% proline, pH 6.1). Supplements of uracil were added as appropriate to a final concentration of 0.01% (thereby producing “MMU” selection media, prepared with 20 g/L agar).

Alternatively, transformants were selected on 5-fluoroorotic acid (“FOA”; also 5-fluorouracil-6-carboxylic acid monohydrate) selection media, comprising: 0.17% yeast nitrogen base (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.) without ammonium sulfate or amino acids, 2% glucose, 0.1% proline, 75 mg/L uracil, 75 mg/L uridine, 900 mg/L FOA (Zymo Research Corp., Orange, Calif.) and 20 g/L agar.

Fatty Acid Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica

For fatty acid analysis, cells were collected by centrifugation and lipids were extracted as described in Bligh, E. G. & Dyer, W. J. (Can. J. Biochem. Physiol., 37:911-917 (1959)). Fatty acid methyl esters were prepared by transesterification of the lipid extract with sodium methoxide (Roughan, G., and Nishida I., Arch Biochem Biophys., 276(1):38-46 (1990)) and subsequently analyzed with a Hewlett-Packard 6890 GC fitted with a 30 m×0.25 mm (i.d.) HP-INNOWAX (Hewlett-Packard) column. The oven temperature was from 170° C. (25 min hold) to 185° C. at 3.5° C./min.

For direct base transesterification, Yarrowia culture (3 mL) was harvested, washed once in distilled water, and dried under vacuum in a Speed-Vac for 5-10 min. Sodium methoxide (100 μL of 1%) was added to the sample, and then the sample was vortexed and rocked for 20 min. After adding 3 drops of 1 M NaCl and 400 μL hexane, the sample was vortexed and spun. The upper layer was removed and analyzed by GC as described above.

Example 1 Euglena gracilis Growth Conditions, Lipid Profile and mRNA Isolation

The present Example describes the growth of Euglena gracilis, culture lipid analysis and mRNA isolation.

Growth and Lipid Analysis

Euglena gracilis was obtained from Dr. Richard Triemer's lab at Michigan State University (East Lansing, Mich.). From 10 mL of actively growing culture, a 1 mL aliquot was transferred into 250 mL of Euglena gracilis (Eg) Medium in a 500 mL glass bottle. Eg medium was made by combining 1 g of sodium acetate, 1 g of beef extract (Catalog No. U126-01, Difco Laboratories, Detroit, Mich.), 2 g of Bacto® tryptone (Catalog No. 0123-17-3, Difco Laboratories), 2 g of Bacto® yeast extract (Catalog No. 0127-17-9, Difco Laboratories) in 970 mL of water. After filter sterilizing, 30 mL of soil-water supernatant (Catalog No. 15-3790, Carolina Biological Supply Company, Burlington, N.C.) was aseptically added to produce the final Eg medium. Euglena gracilis cultures were grown at 23° C. with a 16 h light, 8 h dark cycle for 2 weeks with no agitation.

After 2 weeks, 10 mL of culture was removed for lipid analysis and centrifuged at 1,800×g for 5 min. The pellet was washed once with water and re-centrifuged. The resulting pellet was dried for 5 min under vacuum, resuspended in 100 μL of trimethylsulfonium hydroxide (TMSH) and incubated at room temperature for 15 min with shaking. After this, 0.5 mL of hexane was added and the vials were incubated for 15 min at room temperature with shaking. Fatty acid methyl esters (5 μL injected from hexane layer) were separated and quantified using a Hewlett-Packard 6890 Gas Chromatograph fitted with an Omegawax 320 fused silica capillary column (Catalog No. 24152, Supelco Inc.). The oven temperature was programmed to hold at 220° C. for 2.7 min, increase to 240° C. at 20° C./min and then hold for an additional 2.3 min. Carrier gas was supplied by a Whatman hydrogen generator. Retention times were compared to those for methyl esters of standards commercially available (Catalog No. U-99-A, Nu-Chek Prep, Inc.) and the resulting chromatogram is shown in FIG. 3.

Preparation of mRNA from Euglena Gracilis

The remaining 2 week culture (240 mL) was pelleted by centrifugation at 1,800×g for 10 min, washed once with water and re-centrifuged. Total RNA was extracted from the resulting pellet using the RNA STAT-60™ reagent (TEL-TEST, Inc., Friendswood, Tex.) and following the manufacturer's protocol provided (use 5 mL of reagent, dissolved RNA in 0.5 mL of water). In this way, 1 mg of total RNA (2 mg/mL) was obtained from the pellet. The mRNA was isolated from 1 mg of total RNA using the mRNA Purification Kit (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.) following the manufacturer's protocol provided. In this way, 85 μg of mRNA was obtained.

Example 2 Euglena gracilis cDNA Synthesis, Library Construction and Sequencing

A cDNA library was generated using the Cloneminer™ cDNA Library Construction Kit (Catalog No. 18249-029, Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.) and following the manufacturer's protocol provided (Version B, 25-0608). Using the non-radiolabeling method, cDNA was synthesized from 3.2 μg of mRNA (Example 1) using the Biotin-attB2-Oligo(dT) primer. After synthesis of the first and second strand, the attB1 adapter was added, ligated and the cDNA was size fractionated using column chromatography. DNA from fractions 7 and 8 (size ranging from ˜800-1500 bp) was concentrated, recombined into pDONR™222 and transformed into E. coli ElectroMAX™ DH10B™ T1 Phage-Resistant cells (Invitrogen Corporation). The Euglena gracilis library was named “eeg1c”.

For sequencing, clones first were recovered from archived glycerol cultures grown/frozen in 384-well freezing media plates, and replicated with a sterile 384 pin replicator (Genetix, Boston, Mass.) in 384-well microtiter plates containing LB+75 μg/mL kanamycin (replicated plates). Plasmids then were isolated, using the Templiphi DNA sequencing template amplification kit method (Amersham Biosciences) following the manufacturer's protocol. Briefly, the Templiphi method uses bacteriophage φ29 DNA polymerase to amplify circular single-stranded or double-stranded DNA by isothermal rolling circle amplification (Dean et al., Genome Res., 11:1095-1099 (2001); Nelson et al., Biotechniques, 32:S44-S47 (2002)). After growing 20 h at 37° C., cells from the replicated plate were added to 5 μL of dilution buffer and denatured at 95° C. for 3 min to partially lyse cells and release the denatured template. Templiphi premix (5 μL) was then added to each sample and the resulting reaction mixture was incubated at 30° C. for 16 h, then at 65° C. for 10 min to inactivate the φ29 DNA polymerase activity. DNA quantification with the PicoGreen® dsDNA Quantitation Reagent (Molecular Probes) was performed after diluting the amplified samples 1:3 in distilled water.

The amplified products then were denatured at 95° C. for 10 min and end-sequenced in 384-well plates, using the M13F universal primer (SEQ ID NO:18), and the ABI BigDye version 3.1 Prism Sequencing Kit. For the sequencing reaction, 100-200 ng of templates and 6.4 pmol of primers were used, and the following reaction conditions were repeated 25 times: 96° C. for 10 sec, 50° C. for 5 sec and 60° C. for 4 min. After ethanol-based cleanup, cycle sequencing reaction products were resolved and detected on Perkin-Elmer ABI 3730×I automated sequencers.

Example 3 Identification of Δ9 Elongase Enzyme Homologs from Euglena gracilis cDNA Library eeg1c

cDNA clones encoding long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid elongation enzyme homologs (i.e., LC-PUFA ELO homologs or Δ9 elongases) were identified by conducting BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool; Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 215:403-410 (1993)) searches for similarity to sequences contained in the BLAST “nr” database (comprising all non-redundant GenBank CDS translations, sequences derived from the 3-dimensional structure Brookhaven Protein Data Bank, the last major release of the SWISS-PROT protein sequence database, EMBL and DDBJ databases). The cDNA sequences obtained in Example 2 were analyzed for similarity to all publicly available DNA sequences contained in the “nr” database using the BLASTN algorithm provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The DNA sequences were translated in all reading frames and compared for similarity to all publicly available protein sequences contained in the “nr” database using the BLASTX algorithm (Gish and States, Nat. Genet., 3:266-272 (1993)) provided by the NCBI. For convenience, the P-value (probability) of observing a match of a cDNA sequence to a sequence contained in the searched databases merely by chance as calculated by BLAST are reported herein as “pLog” values, which represent the negative of the logarithm of the reported P-value. Accordingly, the greater the pLog value, the greater the likelihood that the cDNA sequence and the BLAST “hit” represent homologous proteins.

The BLASTX search using the nucleotide sequences from clone eeg1c.pk001.n5.f revealed similarity of the protein encoded by the cDNA to IgD9e (i.e., the long-chain PUFA elongation enzyme from Isochrysis galbana set forth herein as SEQ ID NO:8; NCBI Accession No. AAL37626 (GI 17226123), locus AAL37626, CDS AF390174; Qi et al., FEBS Lett. 510(3):159-165 (2002)). The sequence of a portion of the cDNA insert from clone eeg1c.pk001.n5.f is shown in SEQ ID NO:10 (5′ end of cDNA insert).

Additional sequence was obtained from the 3′ end of the cDNA insert of eeg1c.pk001.n5.1 as described above, but using the poly(A) tail-primed WobbleT oligonucleotides. Briefly, the WobbleT primer is an equimolar mix of 21 mer poly(T)A, poly(T)C, and poly(T)G, used to sequence the 3′ end of cDNA clones. The 3′ end sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO:11.

Both the 5′ and 3′ sequences were aligned using Sequencher™ (Version 4.2, Gene Codes Corporation, Ann Arbor, Mich.) and the resulting sequence for the cDNA is shown in SEQ ID NO:12. Sequence for the coding sequence from the cDNA in eeg1c.pk001.n5.f and the corresponding deduced amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2, respectively. On the basis of the homologies reported above, the Euglena gracilis gene product of the cDNA insert of eeg1c.pk001.n5.1 was hypothesized to encode a Δ9 elongase and was thus designated as “EgD9e”.

The amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 (i.e., EgD9e) was evaluated by BLASTP, yielding a pLog value of 38.70 (E value of 2e-39) versus IgD9e (SEQ ID NO:8). EgD9e is 39.4% identical to IgD9e using the Jotun Hein method. Sequence percent identity calculations performed by the Jotun Hein method (Hein, J. J., Meth. Enz., 183:626-645 (1990)) were done using the MegAlign™ v6.1 program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.) with the default parameters for pairwise alignment (KTUPLE=2). EgD9e (SEQ ID NO:2) is 31.8% identical to IgD9e (SEQ ID NO:8) using the Clustal V method (FIG. 4). Sequence percent identity calculations performed by the Clustal V method (Higgins, D. G. and Sharp, P. M., Comput. Appl. Biosci., 5:151-153 (1989); Higgins et al., Comput. Appl. Biosci., 8:189-191 (1992)) were done using the MegAlign™ v6.1 program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite with the default parameters for pairwise alignment (KTUPLE=1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5, DIAGONALS SAVED=5 and GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10).

BLAST scores and probabilities indicated that the instant nucleic acid fragment (SEQ ID NO:12) encoded an entire Euglena gracilis A9 elongase.

Example 4 Functional Analysis of the Euglena gracilis Δ9 Elongase (EgD9e) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The present Example describes functional analysis of EgD9e in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This required: (2) cloning of EgD9e into yeast expression vector pY-75 to produce pY119; (2) comparison of lipid profiles within transformant organisms comprising pY-75 and pY119, after substrate feeding; and (3) comparison of lipid profiles within transformant organisms comprising pY-75 and pY119, after no substrate feeding.

Construction of Plasmids pY-75 (Control) and DY119, Comprising EgD9e

The yeast episomal plasmid (YEp)-type vector pRS425 (Christianson et al., Gene, 110:119-122 (1992)) contains sequences from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2μ endogenous plasmid, a LEU2 selectable marker and sequences based on the backbone of a multifunctional phagemid, pBluescript II SK(+). The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strong, constitutive glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) promoter was cloned between the SacII and SpeI sites of pRS425 in the same way as described by Jia et al. (Physiol. Genomics, 3:83-92 (2000)) to produce pGPD-425. A Not1 site was introduced into the BamHI site of pGPD-425, thus producing a NotI site flanked by BamHI sites, and this plasmid was called pY-75. EgD9e was amplified from eeg1c.pk001.n5.f with oligonucleotide primers oEugEL1-1 (SEQ ID NO:19) and oEugEL1-2 (SEQ ID NO:20) using the VentR® DNA Polymerase (Catalog No. M0254S, New England Biolabs Inc., Beverly, Mass.) following the manufacturer's protocol. The resulting DNA fragment was cloned into the pCR-Blunt® cloning vector using the Zero Blunt® PCR Cloning Kit (Invitrogen Corporation), following the manufacturer's protocol, to produce pKR906. EgD9e was released from pKR906 by digestion with NotI and cloned into the NotI site of pY-75 to produce pY119 (SEQ ID NO:21; FIG. 5). EgD9e is labeled as “eug el1” in FIG. 5.

Functional Analysis of EgD9e Elongase Activity By Substrate Feeding

Plasmids pY119 and pY-75 were transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae INVSC1 (Invitrogen Corporation) using standard lithium acetate transformation procedures. Transformants were selected on DOBA media supplemented with CSM-leu (Qbiogene, Carlsbad, Calif.). Transformants from each plate were inoculated into 2 mL of DOB medium supplemented with CSM-leu (Qbiogene) and 0.2% tergitol. Cells were grown for 1 day at 30° C. after which 0.1 mL was transferred to 3 mL of the same medium supplemented with either LA [18:2(9,12)], ALA [18:3(9, 12, 15)], GLA [18:3(6, 9, 12)], STA [18:4(6, 9, 12, 15)], ARA [20:4(5, 8, 11, 14)] or EPA [20:5(5, 8, 11, 14, 17)] to 0.175 mM. These were incubated for 16 h at 30° C., 250 rpm and then pellets were obtained by centrifugation. Cells were washed once with water, pelleted by centrifugation and air dried. Pellets were transesterified (Roughan, G., and Nishida I., Arch Biochem Biophys., 276(1):38-46 (1990)) with 500 μL of 1% sodium methoxide for 30 min at 50° C. after which 500 μL of 1 M sodium chloride and 100 μL of heptane were added. After thorough mixing and centrifugation, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were analyzed by GC as described in Example 1.

Results for feeding cells containing pY75 (vector control) or pY119 (3 independent transformants, designated as pY119-5, pY119-6 and pY119-8) are shown in FIG. 6. Fatty acids are identified as 16:0 (palmitate), 16:1(9) (palmitoleic acid), 18:0, 18:1(9) (oleic acid), LA, GLA, ALA, STA, EDA, DGLA, ARA, ETrA, ETA, EPA, 22:2(13,16) (docosadienoic acid), 22:4(7, 10, 13, 16) (adrenic acid), DPA and 24:1 (nervonic acid). The elongation efficiency (“(% Elo”) was calculated for each fatty acid (“FA”) fed as: [% FA_(product)/(% FA_(product)+% FA_(substrate))*100].

The data in FIG. 6 demonstrated that the cloned EgD9e efficiently elongated LA and ALA to EDA and ETrA, respectively.

Functional Analysis of EgD9e Elongase Activity without Substrate Feeding

Additionally, FAMEs from cells where no fatty acid had been fed were analyzed by GC using slightly different temperature profiles in order to achieve separation of oleic acid [OA-18:1(9)] and vaccenic acid [VA-18:1(11)], the product of palmitoleic acid [PA-16:1(9)] elongation. Fatty acid methyl esters (3 μL injected from hexane layer) were separated and quantified using a Hewlett-Packard 6890 Gas Chromatograph fitted with an Omegawax 320 fused silica capillary column (Supelco Inc., Catalog No. 24152). The oven temperature was programmed to hold at 200° C. for 2.7 min, increase to 240° C. at 20° C./min and then hold for an additional 2.3 min. Results are shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Lipid Profiles Having No Exogenous Fatty Acid Added Sample 16:1 18:1 18:1 % Elo % Elo Name 16:0 (9) 18:0 (9) (11) 16:0 16:1 pY75 13.1 54.7 3.5 27.6 1.2 20.9 2.1 pY119-5 12.9 55.6 3.6 26.0 1.8 21.6 3.2 pY119-6 13.4 54.0 3.6 27.3 1.6 21.2 3.0 pY119-8 12.7 53.3 3.5 29.0 1.5 21.7 2.8 Based on the results shown above, EgD9e may act as both a C_(16/18) elongase and a C_(18/20) elongase, in addition to its primary role as a Δ9 elongase that is capable of catalyzing the elongation of LA and ALA to EDA and ETrA, respectively.

Example 5 Construction of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pY115, Comprising a Synthetic Δ9 Elongase Gene (Derived from Isochrysis galbana), Codon-Optimized for Expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (IgD9eS)

The present Example describes the construction of Yarrowia lipolytica expression vector pY115, comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::IgD9eS::Pex20 gene, wherein IgD9eS is a synthetic Δ9 elongase derived from Isochrysis galbana and codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica. Plasmid pY115 indirectly enabled the Δ9 elongase activity of IgD9eS to be compared to the Δ9 elongase activity of EgD9e, as described in Examples 6 and 7, infra.

Construction of plasmid pY115 (SEQ ID NO:45; FIG. 8) required: (1) construction of pDMW263; (2) synthesis of IgD9eS and creation of plasmid pDMW237; and (3) ligation of fragments from plasmids pDMW263 and pDMW237.

Construction of pDMW263

Plasmid pY5-30 (FIG. 7A; previously described in PCT Publication No. WO 05/003310 [the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference]) is a shuttle plasmid that can replicate both in E. coli and Yarrowia lipolytica. Plasmid pY5-30 contains the following: a Yarrowia autonomous replication sequence (ARS18); a ColE1 plasmid origin of replication; an ampicillin-resistance gene (AmpR), for selection in E. coli; a Yarrowia LEU2 gene, for selection in Yarrowia; and a chimeric TEF::GUS::XPR gene.

Plasmid pDMW263 (SEQ ID NO:22; FIG. 7B) was created from pY5-30, by replacing the TEF promoter with the Yarrowia lipolytica FBAlNm promoter (PCT Publication No. WO 05/049805) using techniques well known to one skilled in the art. Briefly, this promoter refers to a modified promoter which is located in the 5′ upstream untranslated region in front of the ‘ATG’ translation initiation codon of the fructose-bisphosphate aldolase enzyme (E.G. 4.1.2.13) encoded by the fba1 gene and that is necessary for expression, plus a portion of 5′ coding region that has an intron, wherein FBAlNm has a 52 by deletion between the ATG translation initiation codon and the intron of the FBAlN promoter (thereby including only 22 amino acids of the N-terminus) and a new translation consensus motif after the intron. Table 7 summarizes the components of pDMW263.

TABLE 7 Components of Plasmid pDMW263 (SEQ ID NO: 22) RE Sites and Nucleotides Within Description of Fragment and SEQ ID NO: 22 Chimeric Gene Components 4992-4296 ARS18 sequence (GenBank Accession No. A17608) SaII/SacII FBAINm::GUS::XPR, comprising: (8505-2014) FBAINm: FBAINm promoter (PCT Publication No. WO 2005/049805; labeled as “Fba1 + intron” in FIG. 7B) GUS: E. coli gene encoding β-glucuronidase (Jefferson, R. A. Nature. 14: 342: 837-838 (1989) XPR: ~100 bp of the 3′ region of the Yarrowia Xpr gene (GenBank Accession No. M17741) 6303-8505 Yarrowia Leu2 gene (GenBank Accession No. AF260230)

In Vitro Synthesis of IgD9eS

The codon usage of the Δ9 elongase gene of Isochrysis galbana (IgD9e; SEQ ID NOs:7 and 8) was optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica, in a manner similar to that described in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101753 (US-2004-0253621-A1) and as described in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/052870 (US-2006-0115881-A1), each incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. Specifically, a codon-optimized Δ9 elongase gene (designated “IgD9eS”; SEQ ID NO:9) was designed, based on the coding sequence of IgD9e (SEQ ID NO:7), according to the Yarrowia codon usage pattern, the consensus sequence around the ATG translation initiation codon, and the general rules of RNA stability (Guhaniyogi, G. and J. Brewer, Gene, 265(1-2):11-23 (2001)). In addition to modification of the translation initiation site, 127 by of the 792 by coding region were modified (16.0%), and 122 codons were optimized. None of the modifications in the codon-optimized gene changed the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein (SEQ ID NO:8).

More specifically, eight pairs of oligonucleotides were designed to extend the entire length of IgD9eS (e.g., IL3-1A, IL3-1B, IL3-2A, IL3-2B, IL3-3A, IL3-3B, IL3-4A, IL3-4B, IL3-5A, IL3-5B, IL3-6A, IL3-6B, IL3-7A, IL3-7B, IL3-8A and IL3-8B, corresponding to SEQ ID NOs:23-38). Each pair of sense (A) and anti-sense (B) oligonucleotides were complementary, with the exception of a 4 by overhang at each 5′-end. Additionally, primers IL3-1F, IL3-4R, IL3-5F and IL3-8R (SEQ ID NOs:39-42) also introduced NcoI, PstI, PstI and Not1 restriction sites, respectively, for subsequent subcloning.

Each oligonucleotide (100 ng) was phosphorylated at 37° C. for 1 h in a volume of 20 μL containing 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), 10 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM DTT, 0.5 mM spermidine, 0.5 mM ATP and 10 U of T4 polynucleotide kinase. Each pair of sense and antisense oligonucleotides was mixed and annealed in a thermocycler using the following parameters: 95° C. (2 min), 85° C. (2 min), 65° C. (15 min), 37° C. (15 min), 24° C. (15 min) and 4° C. (15 min). Thus, IL3-1A (SEQ ID NO:23) was annealed to IL3-1B (SEQ ID NO:24) to produce the double-stranded product “IL3-1AB”. Similarly, IL3-2A (SEQ ID NO:25) was annealed to IL3-2B (SEQ ID NO:26) to produce the double-stranded product “IL3-2AB”, etc.

Two separate pools of annealed, double-stranded oligonucleotides were then ligated together, as shown below: Pool 1 (comprising IL3-1AB, IL3-2AB, IL3-3AB and IL3-4AB); and Pool 2 (comprising IL3-5AB, IL3-6AB, IL3-7AB and IL3-8AB). Each pool of annealed oligonucleotides was mixed in a volume of 20 μL with 10 U of T4 DNA ligase and the ligation reaction was incubated overnight at 16° C.

The product of each ligation reaction was then used as template to amplify the designed DNA fragment by PCR. Specifically, using the ligated “Pool 1” mixture (e.g., IL3-1AB, IL3-2AB, IL3-3AB and IL3-4AB) as template, and oligonucleotides IL3-1F and IL3-4R (SEQ ID NOs:39 and 40) as primers, the first portion of IgD9eS was amplified by PCR. The 417 by PCR fragment was subcloned into the pGEM-T easy vector (Promega) to generate pT9(1-4) (SEQ ID NO:43).

Using the ligated “Pool 2” mixture (e.g., IL3-5AB, IL3-6AB, IL3-7AB and IL3-8AB) as the template, and oligonucleotides IL3-5F and IL3-8R (SEQ ID NOs:41 and 42) as primers, the second portion of IgD9eS was amplified similarly by PCR and cloned into the pGEM-T-easy vector to generate pT9(5-8) (SEQ ID NO:44).

E. coli was transformed separately with pT9(1-4) (SEQ ID NO:43) and pT9(5-8) (SEQ ID NO:44) and the plasmid DNA was isolated from ampicillin-resistant transformants. Plasmid DNA was purified and digested with the appropriate restriction endonucleases to liberate the 417 by NcoI/PstI fragment of pT9(1-4) and the 377 by PstI/NotI fragment of pT9(5-8). These two fragments were then combined and directionally ligated together with Nco1/Not1 digested pZUF17 (SEQ ID NO:121; FIG. 7C) to generate pDMW237 (SEQ ID NO:46). Thus, the synthetically produced IgD9eS gene was flanked by a FBAlN promoter and Yarrowia Pex20 terminator within expression vector pDMW237.

Final Construction of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pY115

The NcoI/SalI DNA fragment from pDMW263 (containing the Yarrowia lipolytica FBAlNm promoter) was cloned into the NcoI/SalI DNA fragment of pDMW237 (containing IgD9eS), to produce pY115 (SEQ ID NO:45; FIG. 8), comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::IgD9eS::Pex20 gene. FBAlNm is labeled as “Fbal+Intron” and IgD9eS is labeled as “I galbana synth D9 elongas” in FIG. 8.

Example 6 Construction of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vectors pBY2 (Comprising EgD9e) and pBY1-FAE (Comprising IgD9eS)

The present Example describes synthesis of Yarrowia lipolytica expression vectors pBY2 (comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::EgD9e::Pex20 gene) and pBY1-FAE (comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::IgD9eS::Pex20 gene). Delta-9 elongase activity of IgD9eS was compared to that of EgD9e when expressed in Yarrowia lipolytica, as described in Example 7 (infra).

Construction of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pBY2

Plasmid pY115 (SEQ ID NO:45; Example 5) was digested with NcoI/NotI and the resulting DNA ends were filled using Klenow. After filling to form blunt ends, the DNA fragments were treated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase and separated using agarose gel electrophoresis. The 6989 by fragment containing the Yarrowia lipolytica FBAlNm promoter was excised from the agarose gel and purified using the QiAquick® Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, Calif.) following the manufacturer's protocol. The purified 6989 by fragment was ligated with cassette rfA using the Gateway Vector Conversion System (Catalog No. 11823-029, Invitrogen Corporation) following the manufacturer's protocol to form Yarrowia lipolytica Gateway® destination vector pBY1 (SEQ ID NO:47; FIG. 9A).

Plasmid was purified from Euglena gracilis clone eeg1c.pk001.n5.f (Examples 2 and 3) using the QIAprep® Spin Miniprep Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, Calif.) following the manufacturer's protocol. Using the Gateway® LR Clonase™ II enzyme mix (Catalog No. 11791-020, Invitrogen Corporation) and following the manufacturer's protocol, the cDNA from eeg1c.pk001.n5.f was transferred to pBY1 to form pBY2 (SEQ ID NO:48; FIG. 9B). Since sequencing was performed with the WobbleT primer, the full sequence of the 3′ end of eeg1c.pk001.n5.f (i.e., containing the polyA tail) was not known. Based on restriction digest and agarose gel analysis, the poly A tail appeared to be less than 100 by long.

Construction of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pBY1-FAE

IgD9eS was amplified from pY115 (SEQ ID NO:45; Example 5) with oligonucleotide primers ig-s (SEQ ID NO:49) and ig-as (SEQ ID NO:50) using AccuPrime™ Taq Polymerase High Fidelity (Catalog No. 12346-086, Invitrogen Corporation) following the manufacturer's protocol. The resulting DNA fragment was cloned into pENTR™/D-TOPO® using the pENTR™ Directional TOPO® Cloning Kit (Invitrogen Corporation), following the manufacturer's protocol, to produce pENTR-FAE. Plasmid pENTR-FAE was purified using the QIAprep® Spin Miniprep Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, Calif.) following the manufacturer's protocol as above. Using the Gateway® LR Clonase™ II enzyme mix (Catalog No. 11791-020, Invitrogen Corporation) and following the manufacturer's protocol, the CDS for IgD9eS was transferred to pBY1 to form pBY1-FAE (SEQ ID NO:51; FIG. 9C).

Vector Transformation into Escherichia coli

Following creation of pBY2 and pBY1-FAE, each vector was transformed into E. coli DH10B™ (Invitrogen Corporation) cells. The transformant cells were grown and pBY2 and pBY1-FAE were isolated using the QIAprep® Spin Miniprep Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, Calif.).

Example 7 Functional Analysis of EgD9e in Yarrowia lipolytica Strain Y2224

The present Example describes functional analysis of EgD9e in Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224. This required: (1) construction of strain Y2224 (i.e., a FOA resistant mutant from an autonomous mutation of the Ura3 gene of wildtype Yarrowia strain ATCC #20362); and, (2) comparison of lipid profiles within transformant organisms of Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224 that were comprising either pBY2 (expressing EgD9e) or pBY1-FAE (expressing IgD9eS).

Generation of Yarrowia lipolytica Strain Y2224

Strain Y2224 was isolated in the following manner: Yarrowia lipolytica ATCC #20362 cells from a YPD agar plate were streaked onto a minimal medium plate (75 mg/L each of uracil and uridine, 6.7 g/L YNB with ammonia sulfate, without amino acid, 20 g/L glucose) containing 250 mg/L 5-FOA (Zymo Research). Plates were incubated at 28° C. and four of the resulting colonies were patched separately onto minimal medium plates containing 200 mg/mL 5-FOA and minimal medium plates lacking uracil and uridine to confirm uracil Ura3 auxotrophy. Subsequently, Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224 was grown at 28° C. on YPD agar.

Functional Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica Transformants Comprising pBY1-FAE And pBY2

pBY1-FAE (comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::IgD9eS::Pex20 gene) and pBY2 (comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::EgD9e::Pex20 gene) were transformed into Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224 as described in the General Methods. The cells were plated onto minimal media plates lacking uracil and maintained at 30° C. for 2 to 3 days.

Single colonies of transformants were then grown in 3 mL minimal medium lacking uracil at 30° C. to an OD₆₀₀˜1.0. As a control, Y2224 was also grown in a similar way on minimal media supplemented with uracil. Cells were subsequently washed with water, collected by centrifugation and lipids transesterified as described supra. FAMEs from cells containing pBY1-FAE, pBY2 or no expression vector were analyzed by GC, using the methodology described in Example 4 (i.e., for S. cerevisiae cells containing pY119). Results for the average of three replications of each are shown in Table 8. Fatty acids are identified as 16:0 (palmitate), 16:1(9) (palmitoleic acid), 17:1(9), 18:0, 18:1(9) (oleic acid), LA and EDA. Elongation Efficiency (“% Elo LA”) was calculated as described in Example 4.

TABLE 8 Comparison Of Lipid Profiles Of Yarrowia Expressing EgD9e And IgD9eS Sample Δ9 16:1 17:1 18:1 % Elo Name Elongase 16:0 (9) (9) 18:0 (9) LA EDA LA Y2224-1 None 13.4 12.6 0.8 2.8 43.1 27.2 0.1 0.2 Y2224-2 None 12.2 12.3 0.8 2.3 46.1 26.2 0.1 0.2 Y2224-3 None 11.7 10.8 1.1 2.8 48.4 25.0 0.1 0.2 pBY1-FAE-1 IgD9eS 11.9 11.9 0.8 3.1 50.6 20.2 1.6 7.5 pBY1-FAE-2 IgD9eS 12.9 11.4 0.9 3.6 46.7 23.0 1.4 5.9 pBY1-FAE-3 IgD9eS 12.1 12.5 0.8 3.2 50.0 19.8 1.6 7.4 pBY2-1 EgD9e 12.3 11.7 0.8 3.4 48.4 21.1 2.2 9.5 pBY2-2 EgD9e 12.1 12.5 0.8 3.2 50.1 19.1 2.3 10.6 pBY2-3 EgD9e 12.1 12.2 0.8 3.3 50.0 19.4 2.1 9.9

As shown in Table 8, the results demonstrated that EgD9e functioned with greater substrate conversion efficiency than IgD9eS, when converting LA to EDA.

Example 8 Construction and Functional Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pZuFmEgD9ES, Comprising A Synthetic Δ9 Elongase Gene (Derived from Euglena gracilis), Codon-Optimized for Expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (EgD9eS)

The present Example describes the expression of Yarrowia lipolytica vector pZuFmEgD9ES, comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::EgD9ES::Pex20 gene, wherein EgD9eS is a synthetic Δ9 elongase derived from Euglena gracilis and codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia. This analysis therefore required: (1) synthesis of EgD9eS; (2) construction and transformation of pZuFmEgD9ES into Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224; and (3) analysis of lipid profiles within transformant organisms of Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224 that were comprising pZuFmEgD9ES (expressing EgD9eS).

Synthesis of EgD9eS

The codon usage of the Δ9 elongase gene of Euglena gracilis (EgD9e; SEQ ID NOs:1 and 2) was optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica, in a manner similar to that described in Example 5 and PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101753. Specifically, a codon-optimized Δ9 elongase gene (designated “EgD9eS”; SEQ ID NO:3) was designed, based on the coding sequence of EgD9e (i.e., from clone eeg1c.pk001.n5.f), according to the Yarrowia codon usage pattern (PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101753), the consensus sequence around the ‘ATG’ translation initiation codon, and the general rules of RNA stability (Guhaniyogi, G. and J. Brewer, Gene, 265(1-2):11-23 (2001)). In addition to modification of the translation initiation site, 117 by of the 777 by coding region were modified (15.1%) and 106 codons were optimized. FIG. 10 shows a comparison of the nucleotide sequences of EgD9e and EgD9eS. None of the modifications in the codon-optimized gene changed the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein (SEQ ID NO:2). The designed EgD9eS gene was synthesized by GenScript Corporation (Piscataway, N.J.) and cloned into pUC57 (GenBank Accession No. Y14837) to generate pEgD9S.

Generation of Construct pZuFmEgD9E (Comprising EgD9E) and pZuFmEgD9ES (Comprising EgD9ES)

Plasmid pZuFmEgD9ES (SEQ ID NO:53), comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::EgD9ES::Pex20 gene, was constructed by replacing the Nco I/Not I fragment of pZUF17 (FIG. 7C; SEQ ID NO:121) with the Nco I/Not I fragment from pEgD9S comprising EgD9eS. The product of this ligation was auto-replicating expression vector pZuFmEgD9ES, which thereby contained the following components:

TABLE 9 Components of Plasmid pZuFmEgD9ES (SEQ ID NO: 53) RE Sites and Nucleotides Within Description of Fragment and SEQ ID NO: 53 Chimeric Gene Components Swa I/BsiW I FBAINm::EgD9eS::Pex20, comprising: (6067-318)  FBAINm: Yarrowia lipolytica FBAINm promoter (PCT Publication No. WO 2005/049805) EgD9eS: codon-optimized Δ9 elongase (SEQ ID NO: 3, described herein as EgD9eS), derived from Euglena gracilis Pex20: Pex20 terminator sequence of Yarrowia Pex20 gene (GenBank Accession No. AF054613) 1354-474  ColE1 plasmid origin of replication 2284-1424 Ampicillin-resistance gene (Amp^(R)) for selection in E. coli 3183-4487 Yarrowia autonomous replication sequence (ARS18; GenBank Accession No. A17608) 6020-4533 Yarrowia Ura 3 gene (GenBank Accession No. AJ306421)

Plasmid pZuFmEgD9E (SEQ ID NO:52), comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::EgD9E::Pex20 gene, was synthesized in a similar manner using the pZUF17 plasmid backbone.

Functional Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica Transformants Comprising pZuFmEgD9E and pZuFmEgD9ES

Plasmid pZuFmEgD9E and pZuFmEgD9ES (comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::EgD9e::Pex20 gene and FBAlNm::EgD9eS::Pex20 gene, respectively) were transformed into strain Y2224 (the FOA resistant mutant from an autonomous mutation of the Ura3 gene of wildtype Yarrowia strain ATCC #20362; Example 7), as described in the General Methods. The transformants were selected on MM plates. After 2 days growth at 30° C., 3 transformants grown on the MM plates were picked and re-streaked onto fresh MM plates. Once grown, these strains were individually inoculated into 3 mL liquid MM at 30° C. and shaken at 250 rpm/min for 2 days. The cells were collected by centrifugation, lipids were extracted, and fatty acid methyl esters were prepared by trans-esterification, and subsequently analyzed with a Hewlett-Packard 6890 GC.

GC analyses showed that there were about 3.2% EDA (C20:2) of total lipids produced in all seven transformants with pZuFmEgD9E, wherein the average conversion efficiency of LA (C18:2) to EDA in these seven strains was determined to be about 18.3% (average; calculated as described in Example 4).

In contrast, GC analyses showed that there were about 3.6% EDA (C20:2) of total lipids produced in all seven transformants with pZuFmEgD9ES, wherein the average conversion efficiency of LA (C18:2) to EDA in these seven strains was determined to be about 20.1% (average). Thus, the experimental data demonstrated that the synthetic Euglena gracilis Δ9 elongase codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (i.e., EgD9eS; SEQ ID NO:3) was about 16.2% more efficient elongating LA to EDA than the wildtype EgD9e gene (i.e., SEQ ID NO:1).

Example 9 Construction of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pY120 for Expression of the Euglena gracilis Δ9 Elongase (EgD9e)

The present Example describes construction of Yarrowia lipolytica vector pY120 for expression of EgD9e. Specifically, the NcoI/NotI DNA fragment from pKR906 (comprising EgD9e; from Example 4) was cloned into the NcoI/NotI DNA fragment from pY115 (FIG. 8; Example 5; comprising the Yarrowia lipolytica FBAlNm promoter) to produce pY120 (SEQ ID NO:54; FIG. 11A). In this Figure, EgD9e is labeled as “eug el1”.

Example 10 Construction of Soybean Expression Vector pKR912 for Expression of the Euglena gracilis Δ9 Elongase (EgD9e)

The present Example describes construction of soybean vector pKR912 for expression of EgD9e.

A starting plasmid pKR72 (ATCC Accession No. PTA-6019; SEQ ID NO:55), a derivative of pKS123 which was previously described in PCT Publication No. WO 02/008269 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), contains the hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene (HPT) (Gritz, L. and Davies, J., Gene, 25:179-188 (1983)), flanked by the T7 promoter and transcription terminator (T7prom/HPT/T7term cassette), and a bacterial origin of replication (ori) for selection and replication in bacteria (e.g., E. coli). In addition, pKR72 also contains the HPT gene, flanked by the 35S promoter (Odell et al., Nature, 313:810-812 (1985)) and NOS 3′ transcription terminator (Depicker et al., J. Mol. Appl. Genet., 1:561-570 (1982)) (35S/HPT/NOS3′ cassette) for selection in plants such as soybean. pKR72 also contains a NotI restriction site, flanked by the promoter for the α′ subunit of β-conglycinin (“BCON Pro”; Beachy et al., EMBO J., 4:3047-3053 (1985)) and the 3′ transcription termination region of the phaseolin gene (Doyle et al., J. Biol. Chem., 261:9228-9238 (1986)), thus allowing for strong tissue-specific expression in the seeds of soybean of genes cloned into the NotI site.

EgD9e was released from pKR906 (Example 4) by digestion with NotI and cloned into the NotI site of pKR72 to produce pKR912 (SEQ ID NO:56). A schematic depiction of pKR912 is shown in FIG. 11B; EgD9e is labeled as “eug el1” therein.

Example 11 Construction of Soybean Intermediate Cloning Vector pKR911 for Expression of the Euglena gracilis Δ9 Elongase (EgD9e)

The present Example describes construction of soybean vector pKR911 for expression of EgD9e.

Vector pKS102 (SEQ ID NO:57), previously described in PCT Publication No. WO 02/00905 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), contains a T7prom/HPT/T7term cassette (described in Example 10), and a bacterial origin of replication (ori) for selection and replication in bacteria (e.g., E. coli).

Vector pKR197 (SEQ ID NO:58), previously described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), was constructed by combining the AscI fragment from plasmid pKS102 (SEQ ID NO:57), containing the T7prom/HPT/T7term cassette and bacterial ori, with the AscI fragment of plasmid pKR72 (described in Example 10), containing the βcon/NotI/Phas cassette.

EgD9e was released from pKR906 (Example 4) by digestion with NotI and cloned into the NotI site of pKR197 to produce intermediate cloning vector pKR911 (SEQ ID NO:59). A schematic depiction of pKR911 is shown in FIG. 12A; EgD9e is labeled as “eug el1” therein.

Example 12 cDNA Synthesis and PCR of Euglena gracilis ω8 Desaturase (EgD8)

The present Example describes the isolation of a ω8 desaturase (designated as “EgD8”) from Euglena gracilis, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,003 and Ser. No. 11/166,993 (corresponding with PCT Publications No. WO 06/012325 and No. WO 06/012326 [the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference]). The isolation of this gene was desirable to enable co-expression of EgD9e and EgD8, to thereby permit expression of a Δ9 elongase/ω8 desaturase pathway and enable accumulation of DGLA and/or ETA from LA and/or ALA.

Euglena gracilis cDNA was synthesized from 765 ng of mRNA (Example 1) using the SuperScript™ Choice System for cDNA synthesis (Invitrogen™ Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.) with the provided oligo(dT) primer according to the manufacturer's protocol. The synthesized cDNA was dissolved in 20 μL of water.

The Euglena gracilis ω8 desaturase was amplified from cDNA using the conditions described below. Specifically, cDNA (1 μL) was combined with 50 pmol of Eg5-1 (SEQ ID NO:62), 50 pmol of Eg3-3 (SEQ ID NO:63), 1 μL of PCR nucleotide mix (10 mM, Promega, Madison, Wis.), 5 μL of 10×PCR buffer (Invitrogen Corporation), 1.5 μL of MgCl₂ (50 mM, Invitrogen Corporation), 0.5 μL of Taq polymerase (Invitrogen Corporation) and water to 50 μL. The reaction conditions were 94° C. for 3 min followed by 35 cycles of 94° C. for 45 sec, 55° C. for 45 sec and 72° C. for 1 min. The PCR was finished at 72° C. for 7 min and then held at 4° C. The PCR reaction was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis on 5 μL and a DNA band with molecular weight around 1.3 kB was observed. The remaining 45 μL of product was separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and the DNA band was purified using the Zymoclean™ Gel DNA Recovery Kit (Zymo Research, Orange, Calif.) following the manufacturer's protocol. The resulting DNA was cloned into the pGEM®-T Easy Vector (Promega) following the manufacturer's protocol. Multiple clones were sequenced using T7 (SEQ ID NO:64), M13-28Rev (SEQ ID NO:65), Eg3-2 (SEQ ID NO:66) and Eg5-2 (SEQ ID NO:67).

Thus, a DNA sequence for the Euglena gracilis ω8 desaturase (i.e., Eg5) was obtained (SEQ ID NO:60). Translation of Eg5 gave rise to the protein sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:61. For the purposes herein, “Eg5” is referred to throughout the remainder of this specification as “EgD8”.

Although not detailed herein, a synthetic version of EgD8 was also created that was codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,003 and Ser. No. 11/166,993 (corresponding with PCT Publications No. WO 06/012325 and No. WO 06/012326)), using the methodology described in Example 5, supra. This gene, designated as EgD8S, is described herein as SEQ ID NOs:68 and 69.

Example 13 Construction of Soybean Expression Vector pKR913 for Co-Expression of EgD9e and EgD8

The present Example describes construction of soybean vector pKR913 for co-expression of EgD9e and EgD8.

Vector pKS121 (SEQ ID NO:70), which was previously described in PCT Publication No. WO 02/00904 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), contains a NotI site flanked by the Kunitz soybean Trypsin Inhibitor (KTi) promoter (Jofuku et al., Plant Cell, 1:1079-1093 (1989)) and the KTi 3′ termination region, the isolation of which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,965 (KTi/NotI/KTi3′ cassette).

Vector pKR457 (SEQ ID NO:71), which was previously described in PCT Publication No. WO 05/047479 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), is a derivative of pKS121 where the restriction sites upstream and downstream of the KTi/NotI/KTi3′ cassette have been altered through a number of subcloning steps. Vector pKR457 also contains the soy albumin transcription terminator (GM-ALB TERM), which was previously described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), downstream of the KTi terminator to lengthen and strengthen termination of transcription. In pKR457, the BamHI site upstream of the KTi promoter in the KTi/NotI/KTi3′ cassette was removed and a new sequence (SEQ ID NO:72) was added containing a BsiWI, SalI, SbfI and HindIII site with the BsiWI site being closest to the 5′ end of the KTi promoter.

In addition, the SalI site downstream of the KTi terminator in the KTi/NotI/KTi3′ cassette from pKS121 was removed and a new sequence (SEQ ID NO:73) added containing an XbaI (closest to 3′ end of KTi terminator), a BamHI site, the soy albumin transcription terminator sequence, a BsiWI site and another BamHI site. The albumin transcription terminator had been previously amplified from soy genomic DNA using primer oSalb-12 (SEQ ID NO:74), designed to introduce a BsiWI site at the 3′ end of the terminator, and primer oSalb-13 (SEQ ID NO:75), designed to introduce a BamHI site at the 5′ end of the terminator.

EgD8 (SEQ ID NO:60) was released from the pGEM®-T Easy Vector described in Example 12 by digestion with NotI and cloned into the NotI site of pKR457 to produce pKR680 (SEQ ID NO:76). Plasmid pKR680 was then digested with BsiWI and the fragment containing EgD8 was cloned into the BsiWI site of pKR911 (SEQ ID NO:59; Example 11) to produce pKR913 (SEQ ID NO:77). A schematic depiction of pKR913 is shown in FIG. 12B. EgD9e is labeled as “eug el1” and EgD8 is labeled as eug d8-sq5 therein.

Example 14 Construction of a Soybean Expression Vector for Co-Expression of EgD9e and EgD8

The present Example describes construction of a soybean vector for co-expression of EgD9e and EgD8. Specifically, plasmid pKR680 (SEQ ID NO:76; Example 13) is digested with BsiWI and the fragment containing EgD8 (SEQ ID NO:60) is cloned into the BsiWI site of pKR912 (SEQ ID NO:56; Example 10). In this way, EgD8 is co-expressed with EgD9e behind strong, seed-specific promoters.

Example 15 Construction of a Vector for Co-Expression of EgD9e and EgD8 with the Mortierella alpina ω5 Desaturase (Mad5)

The present Example describes construction of a soybean vector for co-expression of EgD9e and EgD8, in addition with other PUFA genes (i.e., a ω5 desaturase).

A soybean expression vector containing EgD8 (SEQ ID NO:60), EgD9e (SEQ ID NO:1) and the Mortierella alpina ω5 desaturase (SEQ ID NO:78; “Mad5”), which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,183 and PCT Publication Nos. WO 04/071467 and WO 05/0479479 (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), all under the control of strong seed-specific promoters, is constructed in the following way.

Through a number of sub-cloning steps, a sequence of DNA (SEQ ID NO:80) is effectively added into the SmaI site of vector pKR287 (which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), to produce pKR767 (SEQ ID NO:81). In this way, a SbfI restriction site is added to the 3′ end of the leg1A transcription terminator of the Gy1/Mad5/legA2 cassette, which is described in PCT Publication Nos. WO 04/071467 and WO 05/0479479.

The Gy1/Mad5/legA2 cassette is released from pKR767 by digestion with SbfI and the resulting fragment is cloned into the SbfI site of the vector described in Example 14 to produce a new vector that co-expresses all three genes (i.e., EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5) under control of strong seed-specific promoters.

Example 16 Co-Expressing a Soybean Expression Vector Comprising EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5 with the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 Desaturase (SdD17)

The present Example describes a means of co-transforming the soybean expression vector described in Example 15 (expressing EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5), along with other vectors expressing multiple different seed-specific promoter/long chain PUFA-biosynthetic gene combinations (e.g., expressing a ω17 desaturase). Whole plasmids, or purified AscI fragments from the plasmids containing the appropriate gene combinations, are used (as could any combination of either fragment of plasmid).

For instance, the vector described in Example 15 could be co-transformed with pKR328 (SEQ ID NO:82, described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) containing the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 desaturase (SdD17) under control of the annexin promoter and having a hygromycin resistance gene for selection in plants.

Similarly, the vector described in Example 15, could be co-transformed with pKR886 or pKR886r (FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, respectively), two vectors similar to pKR328 but having the SAMS/ALS/ALS3′ cassette (which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) for selection in plants. Specifically, vectors pKR886 (SEQ ID NO:83) and pKR886r (SEQ ID NO:84) are made by cloning the PstI fragment, containing the Ann/Sdd17/BD30 cassette from pKR271 (SEQ ID NO:85, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) into the SbfI site of pKR226 (SEQ ID NO:86, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467).

Example 17 Co-Expressing a Soybean Expression Vector Comprising EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5 with SdD17 and Arabidopsis Fad3

The present Example describes a means of co-transforming the soybean expression vector described in Example 15 (expressing EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5), along with other vectors expressing multiple different seed-specific promoter/long chain PUFA-biosynthetic gene combinations (e.g., expressing a ω17 desaturase and Fad3).

The vector described in Example 15 could be co-transformed into soybeans with either pKR275 (SEQ ID NO:87, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467 and has ATCC Accession Number PTA-4989) or pKR329 (SEQ ID NO:88, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/07146). Plasmids pKR275 and pKR329 have ALS or hygromycin selection, respectively, and contain the KTi/Fad3/KTi3′ gene cassette (which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) in addition to the Ann/Sdd17/BD30 cassette. In this way, the Arabidopsis Fad3 gene could be co-expressed with the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 desaturase (SdD17) behind strong, seed-specific promoters.

Example 18 Co-Expressing a Soybean Expression Vector Comprising EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5 with SdD17 and Fusarium moniliforme ω15 Desaturase (Fmd15)

The present Example describes a means of co-transforming the soybean expression vector described in Example 15 (expressing EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5), along with other vectors expressing multiple different seed-specific promoter/long chain PUFA-biosynthetic gene combinations (e.g., expressing a ω17 desaturase and a ω15 desaturase).

The vector described in Example 15 could be co-transformed into soybeans with pKR585 (SEQ ID NO:89, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 05/0479479 and has ATCC Accession No. PTA-6019), having hygromycin selection and containing the Fusarium moniliforme ω15 desaturase (FmD15) under control of the KTi promoter.

The vector described in Example 15 could also be co-transformed into soybeans with pKR669, having ALS selection and containing the Fusarium moniliforme ω15 desaturase under control of the KTi promoter in addition to the Ann/Sdd17/BD30 cassette. Plasmid pKR669 is produced in the following way. The KTi promoter:FmD15:KTi terminator cassette is released from plasmid pKR578 (SEQ ID NO:90, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 05/0479479 and has ATCC Accession No. PTA-6280) by digestion with BsiWI and is cloned into the BsiWI site of plasmid pKR226 (SEQ ID NO:86, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467), containing the ALS gene for selection, the T7prom/HPT/T7term cassette and the bacterial on region, to produce pKR667 (SEQ ID NO:91). Plasmid pKR271 (SEQ ID NO:85, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) is digested with PstI and the fragment containing the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 desaturase is cloned into the SbfI site of pKR667 to produce pKR669. In this way, the Fusarium moniliforme ω15 desaturase could be co-expressed with the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 desaturase behind strong, seed-specific promoters. A schematic depiction of pKR669 is shown in FIG. 14A.

The vector described in Example 15 could also be co-transformed into soybeans with pKR873 (SEQ ID NO:92), having ALS selection and containing the Fusarium moniliforme ω15 desaturase (FmD15) under control of the soy albumin promoter (which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) in addition to the Ann/Sdd17/BD30 cassette. Specifically, plasmid pKR873 is produced in the following way. The SA/NotI/SA3′ cassette is amplified from plasmid pKR132 (SEQ ID NO:93, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) using PCR. Primer oSAlb-9 (SEQ ID NO:94) is designed to introduce XbaI and BsiWI sites at the 5′ end of the promoter and primer oSAlb-2 (SEQ ID NO:95) is designed to introduce BsiWI and XbaI sites at the 3′ end of the terminator. The resulting PCR fragment is subsequently cloned into pCR-Script AMP SK(+) (Stratagene Company, San Diego, Calif.) to produce pKR160 (SEQ ID NO:96). Plasmid pKR160 is then digested with BsiWI and the SA/NotI/SA3′ cassette ligated into the BsiWI site of pKR124 (SEQ ID NO:97, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 05/0479479) to produce pKR163 (SEQ ID NO:98). The NotI fragment from pY34 (SEQ ID NO:99, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 05/0479479), containing the Fusarium moniliforme ω15 desaturase, is cloned into the NotI site of pKR163 (SEQ ID NO:98) to produce pKR863 (SEQ ID NO:100). The SA/FmD15/SA3′ cassette is released from plasmid pKR863 by digestion with BsiWI and is cloned into the BsiWI site of plasmid pKR226 (SEQ ID NO:86, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467), containing the ALS gene for selection, the T7prom/HPT/T7term cassette and the bacterial on region, to produce pKR869 (SEQ ID NO:101). Plasmid pKR271 (SEQ ID NO:85, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) is digested with PstI and the fragment containing the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 desaturase is cloned into the SbfI site of pKR869 (SEQ ID NO:101) to thereby produce pKR873 (SEQ ID NO:92). In this way, the Fusarium moniliforme ω15 desaturase could be co-expressed with the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 desaturase behind strong, seed-specific promoters. A schematic depiction of pKR873 is shown in FIG. 14B.

Example 19 Co-Expressing a Soybean Expression Vector Comprising EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5 with SdD17 and Mortierella alpina Elongase (MaELO)

The present Example describes a means of co-transforming the soybean expression vector described in Example 15 (expressing EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5), along with other vectors expressing multiple different seed-specific promoter/long chain PUFA-biosynthetic gene combinations (e.g., expressing a ω17 desaturase and an elongase).

The vector described in Example 15 could also be co-transformed into soybeans with a vector having ALS selection and containing the Mortierella alpina elongase (which is described in PCT Publication Nos. WO 04/071467 and WO 00/12720) under control of the soy albumin promoter (which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) in addition to the Ann/Sdd17/BD30 cassette. This plasmid could be produced in a similar way as described supra. For instance, the NotI fragment from pKR270 (SEQ ID NO:102, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467), containing the Mortierella alpina elongase (“Maelo”), could be cloned into the NotI site of pKR163 (SEQ ID NO:98) to produce a vector having the SA/Maelo/SA3′ cassette. The SA/Maelo/SA3′ cassette could be released from that plasmid by digestion with BsiWI and could be cloned into the BsiWI site of plasmid pKR226 (SEQ ID NO:86, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467), containing the ALS gene for selection, the T7prom/HPT/T7term cassette and the bacterial on region, to produce a new plasmid. Plasmid pKR271 (SEQ ID NO:85, which is described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467) could then be digested with PstI and the fragment containing the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 desaturase could be cloned into the SbfI site of the new plasmid containing the SA/Maelo/SA3′ cassette. In this way, the Mortierella alpina elongase could be co-expressed with the Saprolegnia diclina ω17 desaturase behind strong, seed-specific promoters.

Example 20 Co-Expressing a Soybean Expression Vector Comprising EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5 with C_(20/22) Elongases and ω4 Desaturases

The present Example describes a means of co-transforming the soybean expression vector described in Example 15 (expressing EgD9e, EgD8 and Mad5), along with other vectors expressing multiple different seed-specific promoter/long chain PUFA-biosynthetic gene combinations (e.g., expressing C_(20/22) elongases and ω4 desaturases).

C_(20/22) elongases (also identified as ω5 elongases and/or EPA elongases) and/or ω4 desaturases can also be co-expressed in soybean expression vectors similar to those described herein. For instance, a ω4 desaturase from Schizochytrium aggregatum (described in PCT Publication No. WO 02/090493) or a ω5 elongase from Pavlova (described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467), can be cloned into suitable soybean expression vectors such as those described in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467. PCR primers designed to introduce NotI sites at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the Δ4 desaturase or ω5 elongase can be used to amplify the gene. The resulting PCR product can then be digested with NotI and can be cloned into a suitable soybean expression vector containing a NotI site flanked by a strong seed-specific promoter and a transcription terminator. Further sub-cloning into other vectors such as those described herein, or in PCT Publication No. WO 04/071467 or PCT Publication No. WO 05/047479, but not limited to these, should yield vectors suitable for expression and co-expression of the Δ4 desaturase and or ω5 elongase in soybean.

Example 21 Preparation of Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Genomic DNA, RNA and cDNA

The present Example describes the preparation of genomic DNA, RNA and cDNA from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389, which had been purchased from The Provasoli-Guillard National Center for Culture of Marine Phytoplankton (CGMP) (Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, West Boothbay Harbor, Me.).

Preparation of RNA and Genomic DNA from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389

Total RNA and genomic DNA were isolated from 1 liter of culture using Trizol reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.), according to the manufacturer's protocol. Specifically, the cell pellet was resuspended in 0.75 mL of Trizol reagent, mixed with 0.5 mL of 0.5 mm glass beads, and homogenized in a Biospec mini beadbeater (Bartlesville, Okla.) at the highest setting for 3 min. The mixtures were centrifuged in an Eppendorf centrifuge for 30 sec at 14,000 rpm to remove debris and glass beads. The supernatant was extracted with 150 μl of 24:1 chloroform:isoamyl alcohol (Invitrogen). The upper aqueous phase was used for RNA isolation and the lower organic phase was used for DNA isolation.

For RNA isolation, the aqueous phase was mixed with 0.375 mL of isopropyl alcohol and allowed to incubate at room temperature for 5 min. Precipitated RNA was collected by centrifugation at 8,000 rpm and 4° C. for 5 min. The pellet was washed once with 0.7 mL of 80% ethanol and air-dried. In this way, 360 μg of total RNA were obtained.

For genomic DNA isolation, the lower organic phase was mixed with 75 μl of ethanol and incubated at room temperature for 5 min. The sample was then centrifuged at 5,000 rpm for 2 min in an Eppendorf centrifuge. The pellet was washed with 0.75 mL of 0.1 M sodium citrate:10% ethanol twice. Each time, the sample was incubated for 15 min at room temperature in the wash solution, followed by centrifugation at 5,000 rpm for 5 min at 4° C. The pellet was air-dried and re-dissolved in 300 μl of 8 mM NaOH. The pH of the sample was adjusted to 7.5 with 1 M HEPES. The genomic DNA was then further purified with a Qiagen PCR purification kit (Valencia, Calif.) exactly as described in the manufacturer's protocol. Thus, 40 μg of genomic DNA was isolated.

Preparation of cDNA from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389

Double-stranded cDNA was generated, using the Creator™ SMART™ cDNA Library Construction Kit from BD Bioscience Clontech (Palo Alto, Calif.). Specifically, for first strand cDNA synthesis, 1 μl of the total RNA sample (1.2 μg) was mixed individually with 1 μl of SMART™ IV oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:103), 1 μl CDSIII/3′ PCR primer (SEQ ID NO:104) and 2 μl of water. The mixture was heated to 75° C. for 5 min and cooled on ice for 5 min. To the sample was added 2 μl of 5× first strand buffer, 1 μl 20 mM DTT, 1 μl of dNTP mix (10 mM each of dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP) and 1 μl of PowerScript reverse transcriptase. The sample was incubated at 42° C. for 1 hr.

The first strand cDNA synthesis mixture was used as template for amplification. Specifically, the reaction mixture contained 2 μl of the above first strand cDNA sample, 80 μl of water, 10 μl of 10× Advantage 2 PCR buffer, 2 μl 50×dNTP mix (10 mM each of dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP), 2 μl of 5′-PCR primer (SEQ ID NO:105), 2 μl CDSIII/3′-PCR primer (SEQ ID NO:104) and 2 μl 50× Advantage 2 polymerase mix. PCR amplification was performed using the following conditions: 95° C. for 1 min, followed by 20 cycles of 95° C. for 10 sec and 68° C. for 6 min. Amplification products were purified with a Qiagen PCR purification kit following the manufacturer's protocol exactly. Purified products were eluted with 50 μl of water.

Example 22 Isolation of the Full-Length Δ9 Elongase from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389

The present Example describes the identification of a partial cDNA fragment encoding a Δ9 elongase from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389, by use of primers derived from conserved regions of the Euglena gracilis (EgD9e; Example 3) and I. galbana (IgD9e) Δ9 elongase sequences. Then, based on the sequence of the partial cDNA fragment, the 5′ and 3′ ends of the gene were isolated. This enabled assembly of a contig (SEQ ID NO:17), extending 51 bases upstream of the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 elongase translation initiation ‘ATG’ codon and 662 by beyond the Δ9 elongase termination codon.

Identification of a cDNA Fragment Encoding a Partial Δ9 Elongase from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389

Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 was analyzed for the presence of a Δ9 elongase. Design of degenerate primers suitable to isolate the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 elongase was based on the identification of several stretches of conserved amino acid sequences common to both EgD9e (SEQ ID NO:2) and IgD9e (SEQ ID NO:8), when an alignment of the two elongases was produced using the method of Clustal W (slow, accurate, Gonnet option; Thompson et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 22:4673-4680 (1994)) of the MegAlign™ program of DNASTAR software (Clustal W alignment not shown herein, in lieu of Clustal V alignment of EgD9e and IgD9e provided as FIG. 4).

Based on this alignment, the following set of degenerate oligonucleotides were designed to amplify a portion of the coding region of the Δ9 elongase gene from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389, as shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Degenerate Oligonucleotides Used To Amplify The Δ9 Elongase Gene From Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Position Within Amino Acid SEQ ID NO: 2 Primer Nucleotide Sequence Sequence (EgD9e) EuEF3 YTNCARTTYTTYCAYCA LQFFHHL 150-156 YTT (SEQ ID NO: 106) (SEQ ID NO: 107) EuER3 TTRAAYTGDATDATYTG MQIIQFN 210-216 CAT (SEQ ID NO: 108) (SEQ ID NO: 109) [Note: The nucleic acid degeneracy code used for SEQ ID NOs: 106 and 108 was as follows: R = A/G; Y = C/T; D = G/A/T; and N = A/C/T/G.]

The reaction mixture contained 1 μl of 1:20 diluted cDNA, 5 μl each of the forward and reverse primers (20 μM), 14 μl water and 25 μl of TaKaRa ExTaq 2× premix (TaKaRa Bio, Mountain View, Calif.). PCR amplification was performed using the following parameters: 94° C. for 1 min, then 35 cycles of 94° C. for 20 sec, 55° C. for 20 sec, and 72° C. for 1 min, followed by a final elongation cycle at 72° C. for 5 min.

Agarose gel analysis of the PCR products showed that a ˜200 by fragment was obtained. The fragments were purified with a Qiagen PCR purification kit, cloned into pCR2.1-TOPO (Invitrogen) and sequenced. The resultant sequence (SEQ ID NO:13), when translated, had homology with the known Δ9 elongase from Isochrysis galbana (IgD9e; SEQ ID NO:8), based on BLAST program analysis (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool; Altschul, S. F., et al., J. Mol. Biol., 215:403-410 (1993); Example 3).

Isolation of the 5′-End Sequence of the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 Elongase

Double-stranded cDNA of Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 (Example 21) was used as template in two separate rounds of PCR amplification. In the first round of PCR amplification, the oligonucleotide primers consisted of a gene specific oligonucleotide (i.e., 389Elo-5-1 [SEQ ID NO:110]) and the generic oligonucleotide 5′-PCR primer (SEQ ID NO:105) from the BD-Clontech Creator™ SMART™ cDNA Library Kit. The PCR amplifications were carried out in a 50 μl total volume, comprising: 1 μl of 1:10 diluted Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 cDNA as template, 1 μl of each primer (20 μM), 22 μl water and 25 μl TaKaRa ExTaq 2× premix. Amplification was carried out at 94° C. for 90 sec, then 30 cycles of 94° C. for 30 sec, 55° C. for 30 sec and 72° C. for 1 min, followed by a final elongation cycle at 72° C. for 7 min.

The second round of PCR amplification used 1 μl of diluted product (1:50) from the first round PCR reaction as template. Primers consisted of a gene specific oligonucleotide (i.e., 389Elo-5-2 (SEQ ID NO:111)) and the oligonucleotide DNR CDS 5′-2 (SEQ ID NO:112). Amplification was conducted as described above.

The products of the second round PCR reaction were electrophoresed in 1% (w/v) agarose and appeared as a diffused band spanning the size range of 200 to 800 bp. Products between 400 by to 600 by were isolated using a Qiagen Gel purification kit according to the manufacturer's protocol, cloned into pCR2.1-TOPO (Invitrogen), and transformed into E. coli. Transformants were selected on LB agar containing ampicillin (100 μg/mL).

Sequence analysis of the plasmid DNA from one transformant comprising the 5′ region of the putative Δ9 elongase cDNA revealed a fragment of 406 by (i.e., 5′-cDNA fragment 1; SEQ ID NO:14). This fragment extended to near the gene's ‘ATG’ translation initiation codon, but neither the start codon nor the first 20 to 30 amino acids were included in SEQ ID NO:14.

An additional oligonucleotide (i.e., 389Elo-5-4 (SEQ ID NO:113)) was then designed to obtain the complete 5′ end of the gene by PCR, based on the sequence of 5′-cDNA fragment 1 (SEQ ID NO:14). The reaction mixture and amplification conditions were identical to those used for the second round of PCR above, except that primer 389Elo-5-2 was replaced with 389Elo-5-4. When analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR products again appeared as a diffused band between 200 and 800 by and fragments with a size of 200 to 500 by were isolated, cloned and transformed as described above.

Sequence analysis of the plasmid DNA from one transformant comprising the 5′ region of the putative Δ9 elongase cDNA revealed a fragment of 197 by (5′-cDNA fragment 2; SEQ ID NO:15). This included the 5′-end of the cDNA and 51 by of upstream untranslated region.

Isolation of the 3′-End of the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 Elongase

The 3′ end of the putative Δ9 delta elongase was also isolated by PCR amplification using cDNA as template. The methodology was as described above for isolation of the 5′ end; however, the primers used on both the first and second round of PCR amplification were as shown below in Table 11 and were 10 μM instead of 20 μM. Additionally, the final elongation cycle at 72° C. was decreased from 7 min to 5 min.

TABLE 11 Oligonucleotide Primers Used For 3′ cDNA Isolation PCR Gene Specific Amplification Oligonucleotide Generic Oligonucleotide 1^(st) Round 389Elo-3-1 CDSIII/3′ PCR primer (SEQ ID NO: 114) (SEQ ID NO: 104) 2^(nd) Round 389Elo-3-2 CDSIII/3′ PCR primer (SEQ ID NO: 115) (SEQ ID NO: 104) * CDSIII/3′ PCR primer was supplied in Clontech's Creator ™ SMART ™ cDNA Library Construction Kit.

˜1 kB DNA fragment was generated from the 2^(nd) round PCR amplification, which was purified with a Qiagen PCR purification kit, cloned into pCR2.1-TOPO, transformed and sequenced. Sequence analysis of several clones showed that the ˜1 kB DNA fragment contained the 3′-region of the putative Δ9 elongase cDNA, including the polyA tail. The 920 by assembled contig sequence of the 3′-region is shown as SEQ ID NO:16.

Assembly of the Full-Length Δ9 Elongase Sequence from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389

Assembly of the original partial cDNA fragment (SEQ ID NO:13), the two 5′ cDNA fragments (SEQ ID NOs:14 and 15) and 3′-cDNA fragment (SEQ ID NO:16) resulted in the complete sequence of the Δ9 elongase from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389, plus 51 by of 5′ untranslated region and 662 by of 3′ untranslated region (SEQ ID NO:17; 1504 bp). The coding region is 792 by long and encodes a protein of 263 amino acids (SEQ ID NO:5). SEQ ID NO:4 is the nucleotide sequence of the coding sequence of Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 A9 elongase (designated herein as E389D9e).

Comparison of the A9 Elongase Sequence of Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 (E389D9e) to Known a 9 Elongases

Identity of SEQ ID NO:5 (i.e., E389D9e) was determined by conducting BLAST searches for similarity to sequences contained in the BLAST “nr” database (Example 3). The results of the BLAST comparison summarizing the sequence to which SEQ ID NO:5 has the most similarity are reported according to the % identity, % similarity, and Expectation value. “% Identity” is defined as the percentage of amino acids that are identical between the two proteins. “% Similarity” is defined as the percentage of amino acids that are identical or conserved between the two proteins. “Expectation value” estimates the statistical significance of the match, specifying the number of matches, with a given score, that are expected in a search of a database of this size absolutely by chance.

Thus, the amino acid fragment described herein as SEQ ID NO:5 shared 38% identity and 56% similarity with IgD9e, the Δ9 elongase of Isochrysis galbana (SEQ ID NO:8), with an expectation value of 2E-43. Similarly, E389D9e is 33.1% identical to IgD9e using the Clustal V method and E389D9e is 65.1% identical to EgD9e using the Clustal V method (FIG. 2). Sequence percent identity calculations performed by the Clustal V method (Higgins, D. G. and Sharp, P. M., Comput. Appl. Biosci., 5:151-153 (1989); Higgins et al., Comput. Appl. Biosci., 8:189-191 (1992)) were done using the MegAlign™ v6.1 program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite with the default parameters for pairwise alignment (KTUPLE=1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5, DIAGONALS SAVED=5 and GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10).

Example 23 Construction and Functional Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pFBAlN-389Elo (Comprising the Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 A9 Elongase (E389D9e)) in Yarrowia lipolytica Strain Y2224

The present Example describes synthesis of Yarrowia lipolytica expression vector pFBAlN-389Elo (comprising a chimeric FBAlNm::E389D9e::Pex20 gene). Delta-9 elongase activity of E389D9e when expressed in Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224 was subsequently determined.

Construction of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pFBAlN-389Elo

Oligonucleotides 389Elo-F and 389Elo-R1 (SEQ ID NOs:116 and 117, respectively) were used as primers to amplify the full length cDNA of E389D9e (SEQ ID NO:4). The PCR reactions, with Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 cDNA (Example 21) as template, were individually carried out in a 50 μl total volume comprising: 1 μl each of 20 μM forward and reverse primers, 1 μl cDNA, 10 μl 5×PCR buffer, 1 μl dNTP mix (10 μM each), 35 μl water and 1 μl Phusion polymerase (New England Biolabs, Inc., Ipswich, Mass.). Amplification was carried out at 98° C. for 1 min, then 30 cycles of 98° C. for 10 sec, 55° C. for 10 sec, and 72° C. for 30 sec, followed by a final elongation cycle at 72° C. for 5 min. The PCR product was digested with NcoI and EarI to generate a ˜210 by fragment that contained the 5′ region of the Δ9 elongase cDNA. It was also digested with EarI and NotI to generate a ˜600 by fragment that contained the 3′ region of the cDNA. The NcoI/EarI and the EarI/NotI digested fragments were purified following gel electrophoresis in 1% (w/v) agarose.

The NcoI/EarI and the EarI/NotI Δ9 elongase digested fragments were directionally ligated with NcoI/NotI digested pFBAlN-MOD-1 (SEQ ID NO:118), such that the E389D9e gene was under the control of the Y. lipolytica FBAlNm promoter and the PEX20-3′ terminator region. Specifically, the ligation reaction contained: 10 μl 2× ligation buffer, 1 μl T4 DNA ligase (Promega), 4 μl each of the ˜210 by and the ˜600 by fragment (˜300 ng each), and 1 μl pFBAlN-MOD-1 (˜150 ng). The reaction mixture was incubated at room temperature for 2 hrs and used to transform E. coli Top10 competent cells (Invitrogen). Plasmid DNA from transformants was recovered using a Qiagen Miniprep kit. Correct clones were identified by restriction mapping and the final construct was designated “pFBAlN-389Elo”.

Thus, pFBAlN-389Elo (FIG. 15A; SEQ ID NO:119) thereby contained the following components:

TABLE 12 Components of Plasmid pFBAIN-389Elo (SEQ ID NO: 119) RE Sites and Nucleotides Within Description of Fragment and SEQ ID NO: 119 Chimeric Gene Components BgIII-BsiWI FBAINm::E389D9e::Pex20, comprising: (6040-301)  FBAINm: Yarrowia lipolytica FBAINm promoter (PCT Publication No. WO 2005/049805) E389D9e: Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 elongase (SEQ ID NO: 4 described herein) Pex20: Pex20 terminator sequence of Yarrowia Pex20 gene (GenBank Accession No. AF054613) PacI-BgIII Yarrowia Ura 3 gene (GenBank Accession No. (4533-6040) AJ306421) (3123-4487) Yarrowia autonomous replication sequence (ARS18; GenBank Accession No. A17608) (2464-2864) f1 origin (1424-2284) Ampicillin-resistance gene (Amp^(R)) for selection in E. coli  (474-1354) ColE1 plasmid origin of replication Functional Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica Transformants Comprising pFBAlN-389Elo

Five (5) individual clones of pFBAlN-389Elo (comprising E389D9e) and control plasmid pFBAlN-MOD-1 were transformed into Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224 (Example 7) as described in the General Methods. The cells were plated onto MM plates lacking uracil and maintained at 30° C. for 2 to 3 days. Then, cells from each plate were scraped off, lipids were extracted, and fatty acid methyl esters were prepared by trans-esterification, and subsequently analyzed with a Hewlett-Packard 6890 GC.

GC analyses showed that EDA was produced in all five of the transformants comprising pFBAlN-389Elo, while no EDA was produced in the control strain (Table 13). Fatty acids are identified as 18:2 (LA) and 20:2 (EDA); and the composition of each is presented as a % of the total fatty acids. The conversion efficiency was calculated according to the following formula: ([product]/[substrate+product])*100, where ‘product’ includes the immediate product and all products in the pathway derived from it.

TABLE 13 Lipid Composition in Yarrowia lipolytica Strain Y2224 Engineered To Over-Express Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Δ9 Elongase (E389D9e) Conversion Plasmid Clone C18:2 C20:2 Efficiency pFBAIN-MOD-1 1 17.4 0 0 pFBAIN-389Elo 1 13.49 2.16 13.80 2 13.16 1.79 11.97 3 14.11 1.92 11.98 4 15.55 0.78 4.78 5 13.24 1.79 11.91

The results shown above confirmed that the cloned cDNA from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389, described herein as SEQ ID NOs:4 and 5, efficiently desaturated LA to EDA and thus functioned as a Δ9 elongase.

Example 24 Construction and Functional Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica Expression Vector pZUFE389S, Comprising a Synthetic Δ9 Elongase Gene (Derived from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389), Codon-Optimized for Expression in Yarrowia lipolytica (E389D9eS)

The present Example describes the functional expression of Yarrowia lipolytica vector pZUFE389S, comprising a chimeric FBAlN::E389D9eS::Pex20 gene, wherein E389D9eS is a synthetic Δ9 elongase derived from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 and codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia. This analysis therefore required: (1) synthesis of E389D9eS; (2) construction and transformation of pZUFE389S into Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224; and (3) analysis of lipid profiles within transformant organisms of Yarrowia lipolytica strain Y2224 that were comprising pZUFE389S (expressing E389D9eS).

Synthesis of E389D9eS

The codon usage of the Δ9 elongase gene of Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 (E389D9e; SEQ ID NOs:4 and 5) was optimized for expression in Yarrowia lipolytica, in a manner similar to that described in Example 5, Example 8 and PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101753. Specifically, a codon-optimized Δ9 elongase gene (designated “E389D9eS”, SEQ ID NO:6) was designed, based on the coding sequence of E389D9e (SEQ ID NO:4), according to the Yarrowia codon usage pattern (PCT Publication No. WO 2004/101753), the consensus sequence around the ‘ATG’ translation initiation codon, and the general rules of RNA stability (Guhaniyogi, G. and J. Brewer, Gene, 265(1-2):11-23 (2001)). In addition to modification of the translation initiation site, 128 by of the 792 by coding region (including the stop codon) were modified (16.2%) and 113 codons were optimized. The GC content was increased from 45.7% within the wildtype gene (i.e., E389D9e) to 50.1% within the synthetic gene (i.e., E389D9eS). A NcoI site and NotI sites were incorporated around the translation initiation codon and after the stop codon of E389D9eS, respectively. FIG. 16 shows a comparison of the nucleotide sequences of E389D9e and E389D9eS. None of the modifications in the codon-optimized gene changed the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein (SEQ ID NO:5).

The designed E389D9eS gene (SEQ ID NO:6) was synthesized by GenScript Corporation (Piscataway, N.J.) and cloned into pUC57 (GenBank Accession No. Y14837) to generate pE389S (SEQ ID NO:120).

Generation of Construct pZUFE389S, Comprising E389D9eS

Plasmid pZUFE389S (FIG. 15B; SEQ ID NO:122) was constructed by replacing the Nco I/Not I fragment of pZUF17 (FIG. 7C; SEQ ID NO:121) with the Nco I/Not I fragment from pE389S (SEQ ID NO:120) comprising E389D9eS. The product of this ligation was pZUFE389S, which thereby contained the following components:

TABLE 14 Components of Plasmid pZUFE389S (SEQ ID NO: 122) RE Sites and Nucleotides Within Description of Fragment and SEQ ID NO: 122 Chimeric Gene Components EcoR I/BsiW I FBAIN::E389d9eS::Pex20, comprising: (6857-1112) FBAIN: Yarrowia lipolytica FBAIN promoter (PCT Publication No. WO 2005/049805) E389D9eS: codon-optimized Δ9 elongase (SEQ ID NO: 6), derived from Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 Pex20: Pex20 terminator sequence of Yarrowia Pex20 gene (GenBank Accession No. AF054613) 2148-1268 ColE1 plasmid origin of replication 3078-2218 Ampicillin-resistance gene (Amp^(R)) for selection in E. coli 3977-5281 Yarrowia autonomous replication sequence (ARS18; GenBank Accession No. A17608) 6835-5324 Yarrowia Ura 3 gene (GenBank Accession No. AJ306421) Functional Analysis of Yarrowia lipolytica Transformants Comprising pZUFE389S

Plasmid pZUFE389S was transformed into strain Y2224 (the FOA resistant mutant from an autonomous mutation of the Ura3 gene of wildtype Yarrowia strain ATCC #20362; Example 7), as described in the General Methods. The transformants were selected on MM plates. After 2 days growth at 30° C., transformants were picked and re-streaked onto fresh MM plates. Once grown, these strains were individually inoculated into 3 mL liquid MM at 30° C. and shaken at 250 rpm/min for 2 days. The cells were collected by centrifugation, lipids were extracted, and fatty acid methyl esters were prepared by trans-esterification, and subsequently analyzed with a Hewlett-Packard 6890 GC.

GC analyses showed that there were about 2.2% C20:2 (EDA) of total lipids produced in all 12 transformants, wherein the conversion efficiency of C18:2 to C20:2 in these 12 strains was determined to be about 12% (average; calculated as described in Example 23).

Example 25 Construction of Alternate Soybean Expression Vectors for Expression of Euglena gracilis (EgD9e or EgD9eS) and/or Eutreptiella sp. CCMP389 (E389D9e or E389D9eS) Δ9 Elongases

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the above Examples are intended to be illustrative but are not limiting. For example, any of the soybean expression vectors created above in Examples 10, 11 and 13-15 for expression of EgD9e could be readily modified to instead enable expression (or co-expression) of EgD9eS, E389D9e and/or E389D9eS using methods similar to, but not limited to, the methods described herein. PCR primers designed to introduce NotI sites at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the Δ9 elongase can be used to amplify the gene. The resulting PCR product can then be digested with NotI and can be cloned into a suitable soybean expression vector containing a NotI site flanked by a strong seed-specific promoter and a transcription terminator. Further sub-cloning into other vectors such as those described herein, or in PCT Publication Nos. WO 2004/071467 or WO 2005/047479 (but not limited to these), would yield vectors suitable for expression of Δ9 elongases in soybean.

Furthermore, in addition to the genes, promoters, terminators and gene cassettes described herein, one skilled in the art can appreciate that other promoter/gene/terminator cassette combinations can be synthesized in a way similar to, but not limited to, that described herein for expression of EgD9e, EgD9eS, E389D9e and/or E389D9eS. Similarly, it may be desirable to express other PUFA genes (such as those described below in Table 17), for co-expression with any of the Δ9 elongases of the present invention.

For instance, PCT Publication Nos. WO 2004/071467 and WO 2004/071178 describe the isolation of a number of promoter and transcription terminator sequences for use in embryo-specific expression in soybean. Furthermore, PCT Publication Nos. WO 2004/071467, WO 2005/047479 and WO 2006/012325 describe the synthesis of multiple promoter/gene/terminator cassette combinations by ligating individual promoters, genes and transcription terminators together in unique combinations. Generally, a NotI site flanked by the suitable promoter (such as those listed in, but not limited to, Table 15) and a transcription terminator (such as those listed in, but not limited to, Table 16) is used to clone the desired gene. NotI sites can be added to a gene of interest such as those listed in, but not limited to, Table 17 using PCR amplification with oligonucleotides designed to introduce NotI sites at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the gene. The resulting PCR product is then digested with NotI and cloned into a suitable promoter/NotI/terminator cassette.

In addition, PCT Publication Nos. WO 2004/071467, WO 2005/047479 and WO 2006/012325 describe the further linking together of individual gene cassettes in unique combinations (along with suitable selectable marker cassettes), in order to obtain the desired phenotypic expression. Although this is done mainly using different restriction enzymes sites, one skilled in the art can appreciate that a number of techniques can be utilized to achieve the desired promoter/gene/transcription terminator combination. In so doing, any combination of embryo-specific promoter/gene/transcription terminator cassettes can be achieved. One skilled in the art can also appreciate that these cassettes can be located on individual DNA fragments or on multiple fragments where co-expression of genes is the outcome of co-transformation of multiple DNA fragments.

TABLE 15 Seed-specific Promoters Promoter Organism Promoter Reference Beta-conglycinin α′-subunit soybean Beachy et al., EMBO J., 4: 3047-3053 (1985) kunitz trypsin inhibitor soybean Jofuku et al., Plant Cell, 1: 1079-1093 (1989) Annexin soybean WO 2004/071467 glycinin Gy1 soybean WO 2004/071467 albumin 2S soybean U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,613 legumin A1 pea Rerie et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 225: 148-157 (1991) β-conglycinin β-subunit soybean WO 2004/071467 BD30 (also called P34) soybean WO 2004/071467 legumin A2 pea Rerie et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 225: 148-157 (1991)

TABLE 16 Transcription Terminators Transcription Terminator Organism Reference phaseolin 3′ bean WO 2004/071467 kunitz trypsin inhibitor 3′ soybean WO 2004/071467 BD30 (also called P34) 3′ soybean WO 2004/071467 legumin A2 3′ pea WO 2004/071467 albumin 2S 3′ soybean WO 2004/071467

TABLE 17 PUFA Biosynthetic Pathway Genes Gene Organism Reference Δ6 desaturase Saprolegnia diclina WO 2002/081668 Δ6 desaturase Mortierella alpina U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,809 elongase Mortierella alpina WO 2000/12720; U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,349 Δ5 desaturase Mortierella alpina U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,183 Δ5 desaturase Saprolegnia diclina WO 2002/081668 Δ15 desaturase Fusarium WO 2005/047479 moniliforme Δ17 desaturase Saprolegnia diclina WO 2002/081668 elongase Thraustochytrium WO 2002/08401; aureum U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,145 elongase Pavlova sp. Pereira et al., Biochem. J., 384: 357-366 (2004) Δ4 desaturase Schizochytrium WO 2002/090493 aggregatum Δ9 elongase Isochrysis galbana WO 2002/077213 Δ8 desaturase Euglena gracilis WO 2000/34439; U.S. Pat. No. 6,825,017; WO 2004/057001; WO 2006/012325 Δ8 desaturase Acanthamoeba Sayanova et al., FEBS Lett., castellanii 580: 1946-1952 (2006) Δ8 desaturase Pavlova salina WO 2005/103253 Δ8 desaturase Pavlova lutheri U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/795,810 Δ8 desaturase Tetruetreptia U.S. Provisional Application pomquetensis No. 60/853,563 CCMP1491 Δ8 desaturase Eutreptiella sp. U.S. Provisional Application CCMP389 No. 60/853,563 Δ8 desaturase Eutreptiella U.S. Provisional Application cf_gymnastica No. 60/853,563 CCMP1594

Example 26 Transformation of Somatic Soybean Embryo Cultures Culture Conditions

Soybean embryogenic suspension cultures (cv. Jack) can be maintained in 35 mL liquid medium SB196 (see recipes below) on rotary shaker, 150 rpm, 26° C. with cool white fluorescent lights on 16:8 h day/night photoperiod at light intensity of 60-85 μE/m2/s. Cultures are subcultured every seven days to two weeks by inoculating approximately 35 mg of tissue into 35 mL of fresh liquid SB196 (the preferred subculture interval is every seven days).

Soybean embryogenic suspension cultures can be transformed with the plasmids and DNA fragments described earlier by the method of particle gun bombardment (Klein et al., Nature (London), 327:70-73 (1987); U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,050). A DuPont Biolistic™ PDS1000/HE instrument (helium retrofit) would be used for all transformations.

Soybean Embryogenic Suspension Culture Initiation:

Soybean cultures are initiated twice each month with five-seven days between each initiation. Pods with immature seeds from available soybean plants 45-55 days after planting are picked, removed from their shells and placed into a sterilized magenta box. The soybean seeds are sterilized by shaking them for 15 min in a 5% Clorox solution with 1 drop of ivory soap (i.e., 95 mL of autoclaved distilled water plus 5 mL Clorox and 1 drop of soap, mixed well). Seeds are rinsed using 2 1-liter bottles of sterile distilled water and those less than 4 mm are placed on individual microscope slides. The small end of the seed is cut and the cotyledons pressed out of the seed coat. Cotyledons are transferred to plates containing SB1 medium (25-30 cotyledons per plate). Plates are wrapped with fiber tape and stored for eight weeks. After this time, secondary embryos are cut and placed into SB196 liquid media for seven days.

Preparation of DNA for Bombardment:

Either an intact plasmid or a DNA plasmid fragment containing the genes of interest and the selectable marker gene can be used for bombardment. Fragments from plasmids such pKR274 (ATCC Accession No. PTA-4988), pKR685 (ATCC Accession No. PTA-6047) or pKR681 (ATCC Accession No. PTA-6046) and/or other expression plasmids can be obtained by gel isolation of digested plasmids. In each case, 100 μg of plasmid DNA can be used in 0.5 mL of the specific enzyme mix described below. Plasmids could be digested with AscI (100 units) in NEBuffer 4 (20 mM Tris-acetate, 10 mM magnesium acetate, 50 mM potassium acetate, 1 mM dithiothreitol, pH 7.9), 100 μg/mL BSA, and 5 mM beta-mercaptoethanol at 37° C. for 1.5 h. The resulting DNA fragments could be separated by gel electrophoresis on 1% SeaPlaque® GTG agarose (BioWhitaker Molecular Applications) and the DNA fragments containing PUFA biosynthetic genes could be cut from the agarose gel. DNA can be purified from the agarose using the GELase® digesting enzyme following the manufacturer's protocol. Alternatively, whole plasmids or a combination of whole plasmid with fragment could be used.

A 50 μL aliquot of sterile distilled water containing 3 mg of gold particles (3 mg gold) can be added to 5 μL of a 1 μg/μL DNA solution (either intact plasmid or DNA fragment prepared as described above), 50 μL 2.5 M CaCl₂ and 20 μL of 0.1 M spermidine. The mixture is shaken 3 min on level 3 of a vortex shaker and spun for 10 sec in a bench microfuge. After a wash with 400 μL 100% ethanol, the pellet is suspended by sonication in 40 μL of 100% ethanol. Five μL of DNA suspension is dispensed to each flying disk of the Biolistic PDS1000/HE instrument disk. Each 5 μL aliquot contained approximately 0.375 mg gold per bombardment (e.g., per disk).

Tissue Preparation and Bombardment with DNA:

Approximately 150-200 mg of seven day old embryonic suspension cultures are placed in an empty, sterile 60×15 mm petri dish and the dish is covered with plastic mesh. Tissue is bombarded one or two shots per plate with the membrane rupture pressure set at 1100 PSI and the chamber evacuated to a vacuum of 27-28 inches of mercury. Tissue is placed approximately 3.5 inches from the retaining/stopping screen.

Selection of Transformed Embryos:

Transformed embryos are selected either using hygromycin (i.e., when the hygromycin B phosphotransferase (HPT) gene was used as the selectable marker) or chlorsulfuron (i.e., when the acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene was used as the selectable marker).

Hygromycin (HPT) Selection:

Following bombardment, the tissue is placed into fresh SB196 media and cultured as described above. Six days post-bombardment, the SB196 is exchanged with fresh SB196 containing a selection agent of 30 mg/L hygromycin. The selection media is refreshed weekly. Four to six weeks post selection, green, transformed tissue may be observed growing from untransformed, necrotic embryogenic clusters. Isolated, green tissue is removed and inoculated into multiwell plates to generate new, clonally propagated, transformed embryogenic suspension cultures.

Chlorsulfuron (ALS) Selection:

Following bombardment, the tissue is divided between two flasks with fresh SB196 media and cultured as described above. Six to seven days post-bombardment, the SB196 is exchanged with fresh SB196 containing selection agent of 100 ng/mL chlorsulfuron. The selection media is refreshed weekly. Four to six weeks post selection, green, transformed tissue may be observed growing from untransformed, necrotic embryogenic clusters. Isolated, green tissue is removed and inoculated into multiwell plates containing SB196 to generate new, clonally propagated, transformed embryogenic suspension cultures.

Regeneration of Soybean Somatic Embryos into Plants:

In order to obtain whole plants from embryogenic suspension cultures, the tissue needs to be regenerated.

Embryo Maturation:

Transformed embryogenic clusters from production transformation were cultured for four-six weeks (one-three weeks for model system) in multiwell plates as described above at 26° C. in SB196 under cool white fluorescent (Phillips cool white Econowatt F40/CW/RS/EW) and Agro (Phillips F40 Agro) bulbs (40 watt) on a 16:8 hr photoperiod with light intensity of 90-120 μE/m²s. After this time embryo clusters were removed to a solid agar media, SB166, for one-two weeks (1 week for model system) and then subcultured to SB103 medium for 3-4 weeks to mature embryos. After maturation on plates in SB103, individual embryos were removed from the clusters, dried and screened for alterations in their fatty acid compositions as described supra. When desired, plants were obtained from some events as described below.

Alternatively, in some model system experiments, embryos were matured in soybean histodifferentiation and maturation liquid medium (SHaM liquid media; Schmidt et al., Cell Biology and Morphogenesis 24:393 (2005)) using a modified procedure. Briefly, after 4 weeks of selection in SB196 as described above, embryo clusters were removed to 35 mL of SB228 (SHaM liquid media) in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Tissue was maintained in SHaM liquid media on a rotary shaker at 130 rpm and 26° C. with cool white fluorescent lights on a 16:8 hr day/night photoperiod at a light intensity of 60-85 μE/m2/s for 2-3 weeks as embryos matured. Embryos grown for 2-3 weeks in SHaM liquid media were equivalent in size and fatty acid content to embryos cultured on SB166/SB103 for 5-8 weeks.

After maturation in SHaM liquid media, individual embryos were removed from the clusters, dried and screened for alterations in their fatty acid compositions as described supra. When desired, plants were obtained from some events as described below.

Embryo Desiccation and Germination:

Matured individual embryos can be desiccated by placing them into an empty, small petri dish (35×10 mm) for approximately four-seven days. The plates are sealed with fiber tape (creating a small humidity chamber). Desiccated embryos can be planted into SB71-4 medium where they are left to germinate under the same culture conditions described above. Germinated plantlets are removed from germination medium and rinsed thoroughly with water and then planted in Redi-Earth in a 24-cell pack tray, covered with clear plastic dome. After two weeks the dome is removed and plants hardened off for a further week. If plantlets look hardy, they are transplanted to a 10 inch pot of Redi-Earth with up to 3 plantlets per pot. After ten to sixteen weeks, mature seeds can be harvested, chipped and analyzed for fatty acids as described above.

Media Recipes:

SB 196-FN Lite Liquid Proliferation Medium (per Liter)

MS FeEDTA - 100x Stock 1 10 mL MS Sulfate - 100x Stock 2 10 mL FN Lite Halides - 100x Stock 3 10 mL FN Lite P, B, Mo - 100x Stock 4 10 mL B5 vitamins (1 mL/L) 1.0 mL 2,4-D (10 mg/L final concentration) 1.0 mL KNO₃ 2.83 gm (NH₄)₂SO₄ 0.463 gm asparagine 1.0 gm sucrose (1%) 10 gm pH 5.8

FN Lite Stock Solutions

Stock Number 1000 mL 500 mL 1 - MS Fe EDTA 100x Stock Na₂ EDTA* 3.724 g 1.862 g FeSO₄—7H₂O 2.784 g 1.392 g 2 - MS Sulfate 100x stock MgSO₄—7H₂O 37.0 g 18.5 g MnSO₄—H₂O 1.69 g 0.845 g ZnSO₄—7H₂O 0.86 g 0.43 g CuSO₄—5H₂O 0.0025 g 0.00125 g 3 - FN Lite Halides 100x Stock CaCl₂—2H₂O 30.0 g 15.0 g KI 0.083 g 0.0715 g CoCl₂—6H₂O 0.0025 g 0.00125 g 4 - FN Lite P, B, Mo 100x Stock KH₂PO₄ 18.5 g 9.25 g H₃BO₃ 0.62 g 0.31 g Na₂MoO₄—2H₂O 0.025 g 0.0125 g *Add first, dissolve in dark bottle while stirring

SB1 Solid Medium (per liter): 1 package MS salts (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 11117-066), 1 mL B5 vitamins 1000× stock, 31.5 g sucrose, 2 mL 2,4-D (20 mg/L final concentration), pH 5.7, 8 g TC agar

SB 166 Solid Medium (per liter): 1 package MS salts (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 11117-066), 1 mL B5 vitamins 1000× stock, 60 g maltose, 750 mg MgCl₂ hexahydrate, 5 g activated charcoal, pH 5.7, 2 g gelrite

SB 103 Solid Medium (per liter): 1 package MS salts (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 11117-066), 1 mL B5 vitamins 1000× stock, 60 g maltose, 750 mg MgCl2 hexahydrate, pH 5.7, 2 g gelrite

SB 71-4 Solid Medium (per liter): 1 bottle Gamborg's B5 salts w/sucrose (Gibco/BRL—Cat. No. 21153-036), pH 5.7, 5 g TC agar

2,4-D Stock: Obtain premade from Phytotech Cat. No. D 295—concentration 1 mg/mL

B5 Vitamins Stock (per 100 mL): 10 g myo-inositol, 100 mg nicotinic acid, 100 mg pyridoxine HCl, 1 g thiamine. Store aliquots at −20° C.; if the solution does not dissolve quickly enough, apply a low level of heat via the hot stir plate.

Chlorsulfuron Stock: 1 mg/mL in 0.01 N Ammonium Hydroxide

To induce somatic embryos, cotyledons, 3-5 mm in length dissected from surface sterilized, immature seeds of the soybean cultivar A2872, can be cultured in the light or dark at 26° C. on an appropriate agar medium for six-ten weeks. Somatic embryos, which produce secondary embryos, are then excised and placed into a suitable liquid medium. After repeated selection for clusters of somatic embryos which multiplied as early, globular staged embryos, the suspensions are maintained as described below.

Soybean embryogenic suspension cultures can be maintained in 35 mL liquid media on a rotary shaker, 150 rpm, at 26° C. with florescent lights on a 16:8 h day/night schedule. Cultures are subcultured every two weeks by inoculating approximately 35 mg of tissue into 35 mL of liquid medium.

Soybean embryogenic suspension cultures may then be transformed by the method of particle gun bombardment (Klein et al., Nature (London), 327:70-73, U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,050). A DuPont Biolistic™ PDS1000/HE instrument (helium retrofit) can be used for these transformations.

A selectable marker gene which can be used to facilitate soybean transformation is a recombinant DNA construct composed of the 35S promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (Odell et al., Nature, 313:810-812 (1985)), the hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene from plasmid pJR225 (from E. coli; Gritz et al., Gene, 25:179-188 (1983)) and the 3′ region of the nopaline synthase gene from the T-DNA of the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The seed expression cassette comprising the phaseolin 5′ region, the fragment encoding the instant polypeptide and the phaseolin 3′ region can be isolated as a restriction fragment. This fragment can then be inserted into a unique restriction site of the vector carrying the marker gene.

To 50 μL of a 60 mg/mL 1 μm gold particle suspension is added (in order): 5 μL DNA (1 μg/μL), 20 μL spermidine (0.1 M), and 50 μL CaCl₂ (2.5 M). The particle preparation is then agitated for three minutes, spun in a microfuge for 10 sec and the supernatant removed. The DNA-coated particles are then washed once in 400 μL 70% ethanol and resuspended in 40 μL of anhydrous ethanol. The DNA/particle suspension can be sonicated three times for one sec each. Five μL of the DNA-coated gold particles are then loaded on each macro carrier disk.

Approximately 300-400 mg of a two-week-old suspension culture is placed in an empty 60×15 mm petri dish and the residual liquid removed from the tissue with a pipette. For each transformation experiment, approximately five-ten plates of tissue are normally bombarded. Membrane rupture pressure is set at 1100 psi and the chamber is evacuated to a vacuum of 28 inches mercury. The tissue is placed approximately 3.5 inches away from the retaining screen and bombarded three times. Following bombardment, the tissue can be divided in half and placed back into liquid and cultured as described above.

Five to seven days post bombardment, the liquid media may be exchanged with fresh media, and eleven to twelve days post bombardment with fresh media containing 50 mg/mL hygromycin. This selective media can be refreshed weekly. Seven to eight weeks post bombardment, green, transformed tissue may be observed growing from untransformed, necrotic embryogenic clusters. Isolated green tissue is removed and inoculated into individual flasks to generate new, clonally propagated, transformed embryogenic suspension cultures. Each new line may be treated as an independent transformation event. These suspensions can then be subcultured and maintained as clusters of immature embryos or regenerated into whole plants by maturation and germination of individual somatic embryos. 

1. An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: (a) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least 70% amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5; (b) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence has at least 70% sequence identity, based on the BLASTN method of alignment, when compared to a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6; (c) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6 under the following stringent hybridization conditions: 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; or (d) a complement of the nucleotide sequence of (a), (b) or (c), wherein the complement and the nucleotide sequence consist of the same number of nucleotides and are 100% complementary.
 2. The polynucleotide of claim 1 wherein the nucleotide sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6.
 3. The polynucleotide of claim 2 selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6.
 4. A Δ9 elongase polypeptide wherein the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of: (a) an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5; and (b) an amino acid sequence that differs from the amino acid sequences in (a) by at least one conservative amino acid substitution.
 5. An isolated transformed host cell comprising the isolated nucleic acid sequence of claim
 1. 6. The transformed host cell of claim 5 wherein the host cell is selected from the group consisting of: algae, bacteria, yeast, oomycetes and fungi.
 7. The transformed host cell of claim 6 wherein the host cell is a fungus selected from the group consisting of: Thraustochytrium sp., Schizochytrium sp. and Mortierella sp.
 8. The transformed host cell of claim 6 wherein the yeast is an oleaginous yeast.
 9. The transformed host cell of claim 8 wherein the oleaginous yeast is selected from the group consisting of: Yarrowia, Candida, Rhodotorula, Rhodosporidium, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon and Lipomyces.
 10. The transformed host cell of claim 9 wherein the yeast is a Yarrowia sp.
 11. The transformed yeast of claim 10 wherein the Yarrowia sp. is selected from the group consisting of Yarrowia lipolytica ATCC #20362, Yarrowia lipolytica ATCC #8862, Yarrowia lipolytica ATCC #18944, Yarrowia lipolytica ATCC #76982 and Yarrowia lipolytica LGAM S(7)1.
 12. A method for the production of eicosadienoic acid comprising: a) providing an isolated transformed yeast host cell comprising: i) an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, selected from the group consisting of: (1) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least 70% amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5; (2) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6 under the following stringent hybridization conditions: 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; and (ii) a source of linoleic acid; b) growing the yeast host cell of step (a) under conditions wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Δ9 elongase polypeptide is expressed and the linoleic acid is converted to eicosadienoic acid; and, c) optionally recovering the eicosadienoic acid of step (b).
 13. A method for the production of eicosatrienoic acid comprising: a) providing an isolated transformed yeast host cell comprising: i) an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, selected from the group consisting of: (1) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the polypeptide has at least 70% amino acid identity, based on the Clustal V method of alignment, when compared to an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5; (2) an isolated nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having Δ9 elongase activity, wherein the nucleotide sequence hybridizes with a nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6 under the following stringent hybridization conditions: 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS; and (ii) a source of a-linolenic acid; b) growing the host cell of step (a) under conditions wherein the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Δ9 elongase polypeptide is expressed and the α-linolenic acid is converted to eicosatrienoic acid; and, c) optionally recovering the eicosatrienoic acid of step (b).
 14. A method according to either of claim 12 or 13 wherein the isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding the Δ9 elongase polypeptide encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:5.
 15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding the Δ9 elongase polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of: a) SEQ ID NO:5, wherein at least 113 codons are codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia; and, b) SEQ ID NO:2, wherein at least 106 codons are codon-optimized for expression in Yarrowia.
 16. A microbial oil produced by the host cell of claim
 6. 17. A food product comprising an effective amount of the microbial oil of claim
 16. 18. A food product according to claim 17 selected from the group consisting of a food analogue, a meat product, a cereal product, a baked food, a snack food and a dairy product.
 19. A product selected from the group consisting of a medical food, a dietary supplement, an infant formula and a pharmaceutical comprising an effective amount of the microbial oil of claim
 16. 20. An animal feed comprising an effective amount of the microbial oil of claim
 16. 21. An animal feed according to claim 20 wherein the animal feed is selected from the group consisting of a pet feed, a ruminant feed, a poultry feed and an aquacultural feed. 